Saudi Arabia’s bid, favored by FIFA, to host the men’s World Cup in 2034 on Wednesday overcame one of the few remaining hurdles in what everything indicates will be an inevitable victory.
A week after announcing approaches and talks with Australia about the possibility of co-hosting the 2034 World Cup, Indonesian football leader Eric Tohir said his federation now supports Saudi Arabia.
Tuhir’s change of plans was detailed in a press release from the Indonesian Football Association posted on its website hours after a virtual meeting of the Asian Football Confederation, whose 47 members include Australia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged AFC members to “unite for the 2034 World Cup.”
Infantino has long been a close ally of Saudi football and the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and FIFA’s surprise decision two weeks ago to fast-track the bid for the 2034 men’s tournament was seen in their favour.
AFC members quickly responded to Infantino’s request and the Japanese Football Association proposed united support for the Saudi bid, which is backed by Uzbekistan, Lebanon and India.
“Japan has a plan to host the FIFA World Cup in 2050, but now is the time for Asia to come together and make a single bid (to host 2034),” said Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, a Japanese Football Association official. Huge history, passion and a wonderful vision for 2034.”
Members of the Australian Federation did not participate in the virtual discussion.
After an early technical problem related to the meeting, the president of the Saudi Federation, Yasser Al-Meshal, said: “It is always known that Asia is always united.”
“We have been inundated with a huge amount of messages of support and announcements from all over the world. This represents a huge responsibility for us to put forward a truly successful proposal,” said Al-Meshal, who is a member of the FIFA Council and a potential candidate for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation in 2027, the year in which Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup for Men after an intensive stadium construction programme.
