Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup bid faces late challenge as four nations join forces

12 October 2023 , 06:34

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Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup bid faces late challenge as four nations join forces

Saudi Arabia may not be unrivalled in their efforts to host the 2034 World Cup, with a second bid facing a race against time to meet the October 31 deadline.

The 2030 World Cup will now take place across three continents, with six countries hosting matches. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will serve as primary hosts, while Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will also host games to mark the centenary of the first World Cup in South America.

The collaboration left FIFA indicating only bids from Asia or Oceania would be in contention in 2034, with Saudi Arabia seemingly a clear frontrunner. Now, though, it could be rivalled by a combined approach from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

“We are discussing [a bid] with Australia,” Indonesian government minister and FA chief Erick Thohir said, per the Sydney Morning Herald. “When I visited Malaysia and Singapore both countries expressed interest to join Indonesia and Australia.

“They [Australia] said they wanted it,” Thohir added, claiming the proposal was presented to Australia's FA in March when the FIFA congress met in Rwanda. “We were waiting for the Australian government for their seriousness in working together with Indonesia.”

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The Sydney Morning Herald also carries comment from an Australian government spokesperson. “The Australian government gives serious consideration to all bids for major sporting events, taking into account the level of Australian government support required and the broader socio-economic benefits that can be achieved, to deliver outcomes for all Australians through sport,” their statement reads.

Who would you like to see host the 2034 World Cup? Have your say in the comments section

Gianni Infantino has spoken about the upcoming World Cup plans (Gongora/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the hosting arrangement for 2030 earlier this month. It will be the second 48-team edition of the World Cup, following on from the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting," Infantino said. "The FIFA council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the first World Cup whose first edition was played in Uruguay in the most appropriate way.

“As a result a celebration will take place in South America and three South America countries - Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina - will host one match each.

“The first of these three matches will of course be played at the stadium where it all began, in Montevideo’s mythical Estadio Centennario, precisely to celebrate the centenary edition of the FIFA World Cup."

Tom Victor