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Any Australian bid to host the men’s soccer World Cup in 2034 appears doomed after Asia’s confederation threw its support behind Saudi Arabia.
Football Australia (FA) has said it will look at bidding for the showcase men’s tournament after successfully hosting this year’s Women’s World Cup.
But the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) says it will “stand united in support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s momentous initiative”.
“We are committed to working closely with the global football family to ensure its success,” AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement on Thursday, after FIFA announced the venues for the 2030 men’s World Cup.
FA chief executive officer James Johnson was not immediately available for comment.
At the end of Australia and New Zealand’s triumphant hosting of this year’s Women’s World Cup, Johnson turned his attention to the men’s 2034 edition.
Australia have yet to decide on a bid, with Johnson only saying FA will “look at” the 2034 tournament, but with Asia’s confederation supporting Saudi Arabia, any bid looms as ill-fated.
Within hours of world governing body FIFA inviting bids from Asia and Oceania on Thursday, Saudi Arabia confirmed their intention to pitch for the tournament.
“HRH the Crown Prince Saudi Arabia’s desire to bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup is a reflection of the country’s progress in all sectors,” the Saudi Press Agency’s English outlet said.
“The Kingdom has quickly emerged as a leading hub and an international destination for hosting major events thanks to its rich cultural heritage, economic strength and the ambition of its people.”
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.Credit: Getty Images
FIFA earlier had outlined key pillars in the bid processes for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments.
In a surprise announcement a year earlier than planned. FIFA allocated the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Spain and Portugal on Wednesday but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host three matches to mark the tournament’s centenary.
FIFA said the joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament.
The inaugural World Cup in 1930 was held in Uruguay and won by the hosts after they defeated Argentina in the final in Montevideo.
The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was a huge success and set records, with Football Australia considering a future bid for the men’s tourrnament.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Spain have been awarded the World Cup weeks after their disgraced former chief Luis Rubiales was forced to step down following his allegedly unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup.
“The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation subject to the completion of a successful bidding process conducted by FIFA and a decision by the FIFA Congress in 2024,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Additionally, having taken into account the historical context of the first-ever FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Council further unanimously agreed to host a unique centenary celebration ceremony in the country’s capital, Montevideo… as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay respectively.”
With the World Cup being held across six countries in two different hemispheres, it might mean some teams play their group matches in different seasons.
The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar but it was moved from the traditional mid-year window and played in November and December to avoid playing in the searing heat of the Gulf summer.
Canada, Mexico and the USA will jointly host the 2026 edition.
AAP, Reuters
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