By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The combined British and Irish bid to host the World Cup in 2030 has been officially shelved with the five FAs instead saying they will focus on a bid to host the Euro 2028 championships.
The decision will be a blow to FIFA who had been keen for the British and Irish to bid as the world governing body sought to build the credentials and integrity of a bidding process that has been criticised for its political manipulation.
England have lost their last two bids for World Cups, for 2006 that was hosted by Germany and for 2018 that was hosted by Russia. Both bid campaigns ended with allegations of vote buying and vote rigging.
For the 2018 World Cup, England were particularly angered by the humiliation handed out to the UK prime minister David Cameron, heir to the throne Prince William (who is president of the FA) and the star power of David Beckham.
The wounds from that process have not entirely healed but the decision to bid for the Euros is based on a greater understanding of UEFA’s bid processes than FIFA’s, and an uncertainty surrounding other international bidders. The risk of going through an unknown process for an event two years later is significantly greater than UEFA’s processes which the FAs are already considerably closer to and which are significantly more transparent.
In a joint statement that did not reference the FIFA bid process, the FAs highlighted the Euros as the third largest sports event in the world and one that would deliver a similar return on investment as the World Cup.
In 2028 UEFA plan to increase the participants in the Euros from 24 teams to 32. It is also understood that in doing so UEFA is looking for an expanded tournament that comes without infrastructure risk. England hosted the group games, semis and finals of Euro 2020, and this year is hosting the women’s Euros. Euro 2024 is being hosted in Germany.
The addition of the other four nations brings other high capacity and established stadiums in European capitals into play. The only doubts in terms of stadium infrastructure would be in Northern Ireland.
“Following an extensive feasibility study, which assessed the potential opportunities in international football, the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to focus on a bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, the third largest sports event in the world,” said the joint statement.
“The feasibility study included an analysis of the economic impact, the political football landscape and likely costs ofhosting major international tournaments. On balance, the five associations have decided to focus solely on an official bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, and have agreed not to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Hosting a UEFA EURO offers a similar return on investment, with the European tournament carrying a far lower delivery cost and the potential of thebenefits being realised sooner.”
Russia and Turkey are believed to be interested in bidding, though it is felt that a joint British and Irish bid would currently be a stronger proposition.
Welsh FA president Stephen Williams said: “Here in Wales, The Red Wall have a special affinity with the European Championships and for us to potentially see Cymru participating as a host country at UEFA EURO 2028 is an excitingprospect.
“I’m incredibly proud that the Football Association of Wales is supporting this bid alongside the football associations ofNorthern Ireland, Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland. The positive impact that this will have on Wales as a whole is immeasurable and will leave a long- lasting legacy.”
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