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Windsor Park could undergo a significant redevelopment as part of the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup.
Plans include increasing the Belfast stadium's capacity to 23,750, alongside improvements to its playing surface and floodlighting.
Windsor Park could be expanded in time for 2035 Women's World Cup
A FIFA report has outlined plans to increase Windsor Park's capacity from its current 18,500 to 23,750 by 2035, allowing the stadium to meet the requirements for hosting matches up to the quarter-final stage of the tournament, as per the BBC.
The proposed work forms part of the joint UK bid submitted by the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The bid is the only one put forward to host the competition and is expected to be ratified at the FIFA Extraordinary Congress on November 23rd.
According to the report, “further redevelopment is planned, including the increase in capacity” at the home of Linfield FC, with the works expected to “enhance the stadium's suitability as a modern international venue”.
Other proposed improvements include installing a hybrid-grass pitch with tournament-compliant dimensions and upgrading the floodlighting system.
The stadium authority has also committed to delivering the necessary upgrades to meet FIFA's minimum requirements.
Windsor Park was last redeveloped in 2015, when £28.75m of Northern Ireland Executive funding helped increase its capacity to 18,500.
It is the only Northern Irish venue included in the 19-stadium UK bid, which also features 14 grounds in England, two in Scotland and two in Wales.
Northern Ireland previously missed out on hosting Euro 2028 matches after funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park could not be secured in time.
FGG says: Windsor Park redevelopment a welcome boost for Northern Ireland football
An increase of 5,250 seats would represent a significant improvement for Windsor Park, particularly given its importance as Northern Ireland's national stadium.
The proposed pitch and floodlighting upgrades would also help bring the venue in line with the demands of major international football.
There is an important distinction between being included in the bid and having the redevelopment completed, however.
With the 2035 tournament still several years away, the plans need to move beyond proposals and into a funded, deliverable project.