June 28 – The 2034 World Cup might still be in the distant future with the bidding process for the 2030 iteration yet to be properly administered, but Australia and Indonesia are mulling over a joint bid for the tournament.
At the Asean Football Federation Council in Laos, the FFA and Indonesia’s football federation discussed a potential bid. “Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirms it has held discussions with the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) about the possibility to jointly bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup,” the FFA said. “An Indonesia-Australia joint bid was also discussed at last week’s Asean Football Federation Council meeting in Laos.”
Earlier this month Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, suggested that ten countries from the Asean bloc, including Indonesia, would bid for the tournament. “We felt alone, we will never have the chance to host the World Cup,” said Prayuth Chan-ocha. “Maybe all ASEAN together, we will be able to hold the World Cup.”
The FFA said it noted the joint South East Asian bid was endorsed at the Asean summit. “FFA welcomes the opportunity to further discuss an Asean bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup with fellow member associations in the region,” added the statement added.
In 2010 Australia were beaten in the hosting race by Qatar for the 2022 tournament in a field that also included a bid by the United States. Last year the Americans got their wish at the FIFA Congress in Moscow. Alongside sidekicks Canada and Mexico, the US won the hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup. It will be the first tri-nation edition of a World Cup.
Australia has already launched a bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in what promises to be a fierce bidding race with as many as seven candidates the biggest tournament in women’s football.
If the bid goes forward, it would raise a number of questions for world federation FIFA: how many slots would the hosts get in a 48-team World Cup? If China were to stage the 2030 World Cup, would that disqualify Asean from bidding? At least, by announcing their intentions early the Asean bloc has stolen a march on China, who are expected to bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730575900labto1730575900ofdlr1730575900owedi1730575900sni@o1730575900fni1730575900