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Football Australia has opted against bidding for the 2034 edition of the FIFA World Cup, leaving the path clear for Saudi Arabia to be awarded hosting rights.
FIFA launched the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup earlier this month, with member associations from Asia and Oceania invited to submit their proposals. Saudi Arabia immediately announced its intention to bid.
Following FIFA’s announcement, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said the federation was exploring the possibility of bidding. However, FIFA’s deadline of October 31 (today) did not leave Football Australia with much time to put together a proposal and the governing body has reached the conclusion to not submit a bid.
Instead, Football Australia will focus on bids for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Australia successfully co-hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year alongside New Zealand. With Brisbane also set to host the 2032 Olympic Games, Football Australia said hosting the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup would represent a “golden decade” for Australian football.
Football Australia said in a statement: “Football Australia remains committed to contributing positively to the growth and success of football at all levels, including locally, as part of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) 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.”
FIFA has now confirmed that the only declaration of interest it has received for the 2034 tournament is from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Morocco, Portugal and Spain have also confirmed their interest in hosting the 2030 tournament, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay set to stage one celebratory game each to mark 100 years since the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay.
Indonesia’s football association had previously said that it would be open to a joint bid with Australia for the 2034 World Cup, but it later backed Saudi Arabia’s proposal.
Only countries in Oceania and Asia were eligible to bid for the 2034 World Cup after FIFA confirmed that the 2030 tournament will be played in six countries spanning three continents.
FIFA has relaxed its World Cup bidding rules regarding existing stadiums in a move likely to assist Saudi Arabia’s hopes of staging the 2034 tournament. FIFA decreased the number of existing stadiums required from seven to four. Saudi Arabia already has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup, which it is hosting.
The men’s World Cup will expand to a 48-team tournament in 2026, when the US, Canada and Mexico will co-host.
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