October 18 – A week after disclosing they were having talks with Australia about a bid to co-host the 2034 World Cup, the Indonesia FA (PSSI) has backtracked and said the federation is now backing Saudi Arabia, a decision that leaves the 2034 finals within the Arab Kingdom’s touching distance.
October 17 – The general secretary of the Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF), Ibrahim Alkassim, has reiterated his nation’s commitment to their 2034 FIFA World Cup bid, inspired by the growth of the Saudi Pro League alongside the success of the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar.
October 11 – Saudi Arabia, looking to be a shoo-in to stage the 2034 World Cup now looks to have a potential rival in the bidding process.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 6 – In a radical move clearly designed at gaining widespread support amongst the FIFA membership, Spain and Portugal added Ukraine to their 2030 World Cup bid on Wednesday in what they hailed as an act of European solidarity.
October 4 – Ukraine wants to help organise the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
September 6 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has backed Spain and Portugal to land the 2030 World Cup hosting rights.
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – It took about five years to put together, but on Tuesday South America finally launched their bid to stage the 2030 World Cup with an unprecedented coalition of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile vying to stage a celebratory, centenary global finals in the region.
July 15 – The stadiums of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are among those seeking to host matches if Spain and Portugal win the vote to stage the 2030 World Cup.
By Paul Nicholson
June 4 – The bid by Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup will get an official stamp tonight before a friendly match between the two countries at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 22 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he wants as many bids as possible for the 2030 World Cup and has not ruled out China even though South America is an early favourite to land the tournament.
June 8 – Even though the tournament is not for another three years, Brazil has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, saying it cannot offer FIFA the financial assurances needed as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
By Samindra Kunti in Amsterdam
March 3 – The bidding race for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is shifting gear. On the eve of the UEFA Congress in the Dutch capital, the four bids pitched their tournament plans to the European governing body’s Executive Committee.
December 23 – Nigeria have lost their bid to become the first African country to host a global women’s tournament after FIFA chose Costa Rica and Panama as joint hosts for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
December 12 – South Africa have pulled out of the running to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup saying they will not be submitting a bid book and other proposed hosting documentation by Friday’s deadlineThe South African FA has been on a collision course with Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa over the future of football in the country which would need government guarantees to stage the tournament.
October 25 – The host nation for the 2030 World Cup will be chosen in 2024, giving the winner just six years to prepare, following a decision by the FIFA Council.