World Cup 2034 closer to become pan-ASEAN event
Malaysia could join three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, in their consideration to bid for becoming co-host of the football World Cup in 2034, according to FIFA Executive Committee member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
He said that Malaysia might have the opportunity to co-host if the Football Association of Malaysia and the government agree on the issue, adding that it was time for the ASEAN region to be given such an opportunity as it would allow the countries to improve their infrastructure and strengthen their respective national teams.
“The opportunity for us as ASEAN countries to bid has its strengths because three to four countries can share, as what USA, Mexico and Canada did to win the bid and become the 2026 host,” Shah said.
The idea of a combined ASEAN bid had been mooted as early as January 2011, when the former Football Association of Singapore President, Zainudin Nordin, said that the proposal had been made at an ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting.
Under FIFA rules as of 2017, the 2030 World Cup cannot be held in Asia as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members are excluded from the bidding following the selection of Qatar to be host in 2022. Therefore, the earliest bid by an AFC member could be made for 2034.
Later, Malaysia withdrew from involvement but other ASEAN countries continued the campaign to submit a joint bid for the World Cup in 2034. In September 2017, the Football Association of Thailand confirmed that it has put in their interest to bid and co-host the 2034 World Cup with Indonesia. Later, Vietnam also expressed interest to join as a host.
However, it is still ample time for considerations. The deadline to register a bid for the 2034 World Cup is in 2026.
Upcoming FIFA World Cups:
2022
Qatar
2026
US, Mexico, Canada
2030:
Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay (bid)
Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria (interested in bid),
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland (interested in bid)
2034
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia (interested in bid)
China (interested in bid)
Malaysia could join three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, in their consideration to bid for becoming co-host of the football World Cup in 2034, according to FIFA Executive Committee member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. He said that Malaysia might have the opportunity to co-host if the Football Association of Malaysia and the government agree on the issue, adding that it was time for the ASEAN region to be given such an opportunity as it would allow the countries to improve their infrastructure and strengthen their respective national teams. “The opportunity...
Malaysia could join three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, in their consideration to bid for becoming co-host of the football World Cup in 2034, according to FIFA Executive Committee member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
He said that Malaysia might have the opportunity to co-host if the Football Association of Malaysia and the government agree on the issue, adding that it was time for the ASEAN region to be given such an opportunity as it would allow the countries to improve their infrastructure and strengthen their respective national teams.
“The opportunity for us as ASEAN countries to bid has its strengths because three to four countries can share, as what USA, Mexico and Canada did to win the bid and become the 2026 host,” Shah said.
The idea of a combined ASEAN bid had been mooted as early as January 2011, when the former Football Association of Singapore President, Zainudin Nordin, said that the proposal had been made at an ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting.
Under FIFA rules as of 2017, the 2030 World Cup cannot be held in Asia as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members are excluded from the bidding following the selection of Qatar to be host in 2022. Therefore, the earliest bid by an AFC member could be made for 2034.
Later, Malaysia withdrew from involvement but other ASEAN countries continued the campaign to submit a joint bid for the World Cup in 2034. In September 2017, the Football Association of Thailand confirmed that it has put in their interest to bid and co-host the 2034 World Cup with Indonesia. Later, Vietnam also expressed interest to join as a host.
However, it is still ample time for considerations. The deadline to register a bid for the 2034 World Cup is in 2026.
Upcoming FIFA World Cups:
2022
Qatar
2026
US, Mexico, Canada
2030:
Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay (bid)
Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria (interested in bid),
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland (interested in bid)
2034
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia (interested in bid)
China (interested in bid)
