MALAYSIA TO CO-HOST 2034 FIFA WORLD CUP?
Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam are the other ambitious players
MALAYSIA could be part of a joint-bid from four Southeast Asia countries to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup in this region for the first time ever.
Fifa executive committee member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the football governing bodies from Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have expressed their interest in a joint bid for the 2034 World Cup.
The former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president said he was unsure about Malaysia’s stand on the matter but feels that there should be no problems if they become a cohost of the biggest show on Earth.
“I think there will be no problem if the four countries make a joint-bid for the World Cup. It is up to FAM and the government to decide.
“Asean has an opportunity and strength to put a joint-bid as it allows three or four countries to co-host the event... similarly like the United States, Canada and Mexico winning the bid as joint hosts in 2026.
“It is time for the Asean region to be given an opportunity, and it will allow the countries to improve their infrastructures and strengthen their respective national teams... there is enough time,” said Tengku Abdullah during his Hari Raya open house at Istana Abdul Aziz in Kuantan yesterday.
On a proposal to expand the World Cup to 48 teams which could provide Asean teams with a special slot without relying on the Asia quota, Tengku Abdullah said it could be raised for discussions but will have to adhere to a certain formula.
In July last year, Indonesia’s football association vice-president Joko Driyono announced that the country is set to lead a consortium of Southeast Asian countries in an ambitious bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
Malaysia’s then Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said a feasibility study will be conducted by the Asean countries on the World Cup bid. He said Malaysia was keen to be one of the hosts.
The deadline to register a bid for the 2034 World Cup is in 2026.
Meanwhile, FA of Malaysia (FAM) general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the matter needs to be studied extensively and also get the support of concerned parties.
“Hosting a World Cup needs full backing from the government. At this stage, it is quite premature to talk about hosting the 2034 edition.
“But if we are serious then FAM will need to look at all aspects and also speak to the concerned countries before the association can be part of a joint bid. It involves investment in venues and other facilities,” said Hamidin.
The idea to co-host the 2034 World Cup is not new as it was brought up at a meeting of Asean sports ministers in 2015.
Asean countries are supposed to discuss the project again when the feasibility study is completed in 2020.
Should Asean decide to bid for the 2034 edition, they will likely face rival bids from England, China, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
For the record, Indonesia are the only Southeast Asian nation to have played in the World Cup. In 1938, Indonesia then known as Dutch East Indies, were thrashed 6-0 by Hungary in Reims, France.
Hosting a World Cup will not come cheap. Brazil spent US$14 billion (RM55.81 billion) when they staged the 2014 edition.