Manchester United have received an unexpected lift in their push to build a new 100,000-capacity Old Trafford.
According to The Guardian, the Football Association is preparing to list the proposed stadium in the UK’s bid book for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
The FA’s decision, set to be announced soon, stands out as a notable endorsement despite the redevelopment remaining at a conceptual stage and major financial questions still unresolved.
FA places new Old Trafford in 2035 bid plans
Although United’s vision for a fully rebuilt Old Trafford currently exists only in visual renderings, the FA is ready to include the project among prospective host venues.
The proposed £2bn rebuild has yet to secure the necessary funding, but the governing body recognises the strategic value of a modern, high-capacity stadium when bidding for a global tournament.
Old Trafford was omitted from the list of venues for Euro 2028 due to outdated infrastructure and the possibility of imminent reconstruction. Instead, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium was selected and will host England’s opening match for the tournament.
For 2035, the UK remains the sole bidder and must still submit a formal proposal for FIFA’s approval, although confirmation is widely expected next year.
With the Women’s World Cup expanding to 48 teams from 2031, around 15 stadiums will be required, with more appearing in the bid book to give FIFA additional flexibility.
United’s ambitions and infrastructure challenges
United hope that by the time FIFA finalises venues in 2030, work on a new Old Trafford will be well advanced.
The club would like their future stadium to host the final, although the FA views Wembley as the more realistic option at this stage.
Nevertheless, United intend to make the case that a 100,000-seat arena offering an improved fan experience should place them firmly in contention.
The club did not issue a public response, but internally they view their expected inclusion as a positive signal.
However, several hurdles remain, with United yet to secure government backing for the £4.2bn regeneration of the wider Old Trafford district.
There is also no resolution to a land-value dispute with Freightliner, whose adjacent site remains key to the redevelopment’s footprint.
FGG Says
This development represents a much-needed boost for Manchester United, even if the club’s stadium plans remain far from guaranteed. Inclusion in the FA’s bid book signals confidence in the Old Trafford project and keeps United firmly in the conversation for major future events.
But the fundamental issues such as government backing, land acquisition, and financing, still need to be resolved before the vision becomes reality. The next two years will be crucial in determining whether Old Trafford’s ambitious transformation genuinely takes shape or remains an impressive architectural concept.