Saudi Arabia also interested in hosting Women’s World Cup, says team director

The technical director of the Saudi Arabian women’s team has expressed a desire to host the Women’s World Cup in the country in 2035.

The Middle Eastern kingdom has already lodged a formal bid to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, and Monika Staab hopes Saudi ambitions can also extend to hosting the women’s event the year after.

“I believe it’s a bright future (for the women’s and girls’ game in Saudi Arabia),” she said at the Leaders Week conference at Twickenham.

“I told (the sport’s administrators) it takes time to go to the World Cup. (In) 2035 (sic), I know they want to host the men’s World Cup.

“Why not hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2035?

“They are going to have the AFC competition, hosting in 2026, so we’re now getting a team ready to be at least competing at that level.”

Saudi Arabia has not yet been confirmed as host of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, but is in the running for that tournament alongside Australia.

A bid for the Women’s World Cup would be surprising and audacious given Saudi Arabia’s confirmed interest in the men’s finals.

The criminalisation of same-sex relationships in Saudi Arabia could also be a major stumbling block to a Women’s World Cup in the country, as many of its stars – unlike in the men’s game – are very open about their homosexuality.

There was a major controversy last year over the ‘Visit Saudi’ campaign being considered as a sponsor for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, a plan which was ultimately dropped.

FIFA has been contacted for comment on Staab’s remarks.

It is possible any Saudi bid could be up against England for the right to host the 2035 finals.

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt told The Times in May that the governing body was considering a bid