Football Australia withdraws interest in hosting 2034 FIFA World Cup

Rather than bidding for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Football Australia will instead focus on bringing the globe’s best club teams Down Under in 2029.

Football Australia has ruled out making an official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and will instead throw its hat in the running to stage a major international club tournament five years earlier.

With the Asian Football Confederation having thrown its support being Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup in 11 years’ time, FA has made the wise and financially sensible decision not to also bid for the event.

FA has instead stated its intention to bid for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson wants to secure hosting rights to the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Picture: Richard Walker

“Following a successfully hosted and record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023, which welcomed nearly two million people to matches across Australia and New Zealand, Football Australia is ambitious to bring more major tournaments to our shores,” an FA statement read.

We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup, and having taken all factors into consideration, we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition.

Instead, we believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and then welcome the greatest teams in world football for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

“Achieving this, following the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023. and with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, would represent a truly golden decade for Australian football.

“Football is the number one participation sport in Australia and, in many respects, is reflective of our nation’s diverse population.

“For international tournament hosting, the Australian time zones provide significant opportunities for broadcasters, and we are within touching distance of billions of people in Asia and Oceania, which also helps to provide a strong commercial outlook for competitions.

“Football Australia remains committed to contributing positively to the growth and success of football at all levels, including locally, as part of the AFC and globally as part of FIFA.

“We wish FIFA and the eventual hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2034 the greatest success for the good of the game and for everyone who loves our sport.”

Originally published as Football Australia withdraws interest in hosting 2034 FIFA World Cup