FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the United Kingdom is the only valid candidate to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. The joint bid from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland was submitted in March 2025, aligning with FIFA’s rotational hosting policy that required the tournament to be held in Europe or Africa.
With no other bids submitted before the deadline, the UK is now in a strong position to secure the hosting rights. Mark Bullingham, Chief Executive of the Football Association (FA), expressed confidence in the bid, stating, “We are honored to be the sole candidate. We will now work hard to present the best possible bid by the end of the year.”
The UK has a strong footballing infrastructure and a history of successfully hosting major tournaments, including the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, which saw record attendance and television viewership. Should the UK’s bid be accepted, it would mark the country’s first time hosting a Women’s World Cup, further boosting the popularity of women’s football in the region.
Meanwhile, FIFA has also confirmed that the United States will host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, ensuring that the tournament will continue its global rotation strategy.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Ruled Out for the Season
Arsenal’s defender Gabriel Magalhães has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury that requires surgery. The Brazilian center-back sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham on April 2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel has been a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad this season, starting 28 out of Arsenal’s 30 Premier League matches. His defensive contributions have helped Arsenal maintain the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 25 goals so far.
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Statistics show that Gabriel’s absence could significantly impact Arsenal’s title challenge, as their win percentage drops from 63.5% to 40.9% when he is not in the starting lineup. With the Premier League title race still open, Arsenal will now have to rely on William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior to step up in Gabriel’s absence.
Top Tennis Players Demand Higher Grand Slam Prize Money
A group of top 20 ATP and WTA players has sent a formal request demanding a higher share of Grand Slam revenues. Currently, the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open allocate only 17% of their revenue to players, significantly lower than the 35-50% range in other major sports.
World No. 11 Emma Navarro and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (World No. 8) have voiced their support for the demand, emphasizing the need for a fairer distribution of prize money. Navarro stated, “I’ve spoken to other players, and we all agree that it’s time for a change. It’s only fair that we receive a larger portion of the revenue we help generate.”
Zheng Qinwen added that increased prize money would benefit not just top players but also lower-ranked professionals who struggle financially. “For many players, Grand Slam prize money is crucial for survival in this sport,” she explained.
While Grand Slam organizers have yet to respond, the movement for higher earnings and better financial security for tennis players is gaining momentum, with more athletes speaking out about the issue.
This article is originally published on vietnam.vn
