Indonesia and Australia Consider 2034 FIFA World Cup Bid

The development comes just days after Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told a news conference in Bangkok that ten Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, were planning to jointly bid to stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the 25^th edition of the sport’s biggest international tournament.

While Australia was not mentioned as part of the initial Southeast Asian proposal, but, the country’s football association has now confirmed it is in talks with its Indonesian counterparts.

“Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirms it has held discussions with the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) about the possibility to jointly bid for the 2034 Fifa World Cup. An Indonesia-Australia joint bid was also discussed at last week’s Asean Football Federation Council meeting in Laos”, the FFA told Reuters.

Australia previously failed in its efforts to host the 2022 World Cup, which was controversially won by Qatar, and has already launched an official bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

FFA chief executive David Gallop confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that talks with Indonesia are underway, but stressed that discussions remain in the early stages.

“FFA is in very early discussions with the Indonesian Football Association about a joint bid for the 2034 Fifa World Cup,” he said. “We welcome the opportunity to explore this further with other football associations in the region. A Fifa World Cup in Southeast Asia would be a wonderful event in a populous and passionate part of the football globe.”