We don’t want to jinx it, but football might be coming home…
BY HEBE HANCOCK, IMAGE BY GETTY
With the UK confirmed as the sole bidder to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, football fans across the country are already imagining the possibilities. For LGBTQIA supporters in particular, it’s more than just a sporting event – it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the world’s biggest women’s tournament the most inclusive in history.
While men’s football continues to wrestle with homophobia and toxic masculinity, the women’s game has long offered a different kind of space: one where queer players are more visible, and LGBTQIA fans often feel safer and more welcomed. From rainbow flags in the stands to proudly out players on the pitch, the atmosphere at women’s matches has always felt a little freer.
But there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Women’s football has always been ahead in terms of inclusion, but we can’t afford to be complacent. A home World Cup is a rare chance to show the world what a truly welcoming, diverse and celebratory football environment looks like. Without a doubt, we’ve made progress as a country, but queer fans and players still face barriers — particularly when it comes to trans inclusion. This tournament could set a new global precedent, especially if the FA works closely with community voices rather than top-down planning.
Organisers have the chance to centre queer inclusion from the ground up: through inclusive ticketing strategies, visible queer representation in media campaigns and active collaboration with grassroots LGBTQIA football organisations. Think Pride House-style hubs in every host city, visibility for queer players and staff, and genuine, ongoing support for fan-led inclusion initiatives.
This grassroots input is vital. Groups like Pride in Football – a travelling queer fan collective – and inclusive clubs like Stonewall FC and Hackney Laces are proof that LGBTQIA football culture is already thriving. A home World Cup could be the platform that propels it into the spotlight.
The global impact shouldn’t be underestimated. With many countries still criminalising queer identities, hosting a proudly inclusive tournament sends a powerful message – not just from the pitch, but from the fan zones, social media campaigns and broadcast studios. It’s an opportunity to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to belong in the world of sport.
For many queer fans, the emotional impact of an openly inclusive World Cup would be immeasurable. There’s something deeply powerful about being able to cheer from the stands knowing you’re seen, not just tolerated. If they get this right, it could change lives.
The FA has until 2029 to submit its formal bid, but the movement to queer the World Cup starts now. If successful, the UK has the chance to host more than just a tournament — it could stage a cultural reset. For once, football might just be coming home to everyone.
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