February 2 – Nordic neighbours Denmark and Sweden have declared their intention to bid for the 2029 Women’s Euro, leaving their regional partner Norway out in the cold.
On Thursday, the Nordic pair revealed they want to co-host the continental finals five years from now.
Last year, a four-nation Nordic bid, including Norway and Finland, failed to land the hosting rights for the 2025 tournament in a four-horse race with Switzerland, France, and Poland. In the second round of voting the Swiss prevailed.
A report into the losing Nordic bid found that “the probability of winning next time is much greater if only two countries stand as organisers. Logistics, avoiding long travel distances, facilities and an increased focus on sustainability – also in football – are significant arguments for this.”
UEFA has not yet opened the bidding process and bidding criteria remain unknown. Denmark hosted the tournament in 1991 while Sweden organized Euro 2013. Norway’s conspicuous absence suggests once again that the Nordic block is not united and it is understood that the NFF was unhappy with the cavalier approach of both Sweden and Denmark.
Chairman of the SvFF Fredrik Reinfeldt said “with the experience and knowledge we have of international events, we are now looking forward to, together with our Danish colleagues, preparing an application for European Championship 2029. Women’s football continues to grow internationally and in Sweden both interest and practice are increasing. We look forward to creating new dreams for future generations in a championship together with Denmark.”
DBU president Jesper Møller added that “football for girls and women in Denmark and Europe is developing rapidly with increasing interest and more girls and women playing football. It was a huge disappointment that we were not allowed to hold a European Championship for women in 2025 together with our Nordic friends. Our national team will experience a big tournament at home. That is why we are now trying again in cooperation with Sweden. It has a far greater chance than if we wanted to be four countries again.”
“Together with our Swedish colleagues, we will create a final round with fantastic settings for everyone – for fans, coaches, volunteers, stakeholders, partners and UEFA. Now we have to start the hard work, where many details have to be put in place.”
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