2034 World Cup - joint bid with Oztraylia?

Probably worth it's own little thread. Guess will all depend how 2023 Women's World Cup goes. New roofed stadium in ChCh (now to be min 30,000 capacity) a small added bonus, as World Cups I presume will revert back to June-July slot post Qatar.

2034 too early though for WC to return to Asia, with Qatar hosting in 2022?
May give NZ (OFC) an edge over Indonesia (AFC) then as possible cohost, as OFC still only Confederation not to host a Men's WC.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300381941/new-zealand-or-indonesia-australia-seeks-cohost-for-football-world-cup-bid

Would love this to occur, but I would say that at the minute it is likely unfeasible for us to think of being a co-host. 

First off, minimum capacity of 40,000 for World Cup matches (60,000 for Quarters, 80,000 semis and finals) Of which we currently have one - a terrible Eden Park, already labelled as the worst stadium to host a Rugby World Cup Final. 

Secondly, is there actually an appetite for government and councils to spend on infrastructure when they are already overrun with multitudes of other infrastructure issues? There is already massive amounts of capital spend in the pipeline (pun intended...) for large infrastructure projects across the country as it is, and I don't think that would include funding new infrastructure around stadium upgrades/buildings and surrounding areas to get us up to code.

From that point, I don't think it's likely. But I'd still love it to happen. Dreams are free - Living in NZ unfortunately isn't...

Min 40,000 capacity. Bugger. Didn't know that. Must be a way to make ROF close to that with some temporary seating.

Eden Park ain't that bad. I find it actually pretty good for watching rugby/football.

Watched All Blacks at Stade de France once, and felt a long way from the action. Running track around the outside. Think Yokohama which hosted 2002 WC final, was similarily criticised as not a great viewing experience. And the huge oval MCG is way worse than EP, for watching ball sports played on rectangles. Hard to get any feeling of where the sidelines are, being so far from the stands.

Maybe 3 hosts, NZ, Australia and Indonesia?  2026 is after all 3 countries - admittedly on the same continent. And with a bloated 48 team World Cup of planned 16 pools of 3 teams each (so 48 pool games), could even just have 2 pools (so 6 games in total) at EP.

coochiee

Min 40,000 capacity. Bugger. Didn't know that. Must be a way to make ROF close to that with some temporary seating.

Eden Park ain't that bad. I find it actually pretty good for watching rugby/football.

Watched All Blacks at Stade de France once, and felt a long way from the action. Running track around the outside. Think Yokohama which hosted 2002 WC final, was similarily criticised as not a great viewing experience. And the huge oval MCG is way worse than EP, for watching ball sports played on rectangles. Hard to get any feeling of where the sidelines are, being so far from the stands.

Maybe 3 hosts, NZ, Australia and Indonesia?  2026 is after all 3 countries - admittedly on the same continent. And with a bloated 48 team World Cup of planned 16 pools of 3 teams each (so 48 pool games), could even just have 2 pools (so 6 games in total) at EP.

Personally have 0 interest in cohosting a world cup with a country actively committing genocide against the West Papuan people. Wouldn’t put it past FIFA to award hosting rights to a country committing human rights abuses again though (Russia and Qatar anyone). 

Yes Indonesia has had a terrible human rights record going back years. Watch movie Balibo for a reminder of the atrocities they commited in Timor, during their 1975 invasion. Australia (and NZ) doing nothing in response.

But as with all these matters where do you draw the line. Got any 'Made in China' items in your house? Bet you have. I do.

Given the vast amorphous new format I wonder if some games in say Fiji or Tahiti or Papua New Guinea might also be possible. 

I’m sure it’s guna be infrastructure dependent. 

martinb

Given the vast amorphous new format I wonder if some games in say Fiji or Tahiti or Papua New Guinea might also be possible. 

I’m sure it’s guna be infrastructure dependent. 

None of their stadia will be big enough. At the moment only EP in NZ is big enough for FIFA requirements for a men’s WC.

Indonesia has been mentioned as a 3rd country in a co host scenario 

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

It takes over 6 hours to fly from Vancouver to Cancun, yet Canada & Mexico along with the US will cohost in 2026.

Indonesia's issue with the U20 WC was really solely the Governor of Bali, and the presence of the Israeli team. Not an insurmountable problem to fix.

What this WWC has shown that a mens WC would be absolutely huge (no disrespect to the WWC) down here. Pretty much every team would have 5,000 plus of travelling fans - that's yet not happening with the WWC.

It would by be by far the biggest sporting event held in these parts, and if the insular rugby fans have been surprised (and jealous) at the level football support in NZ/Aussie the last month - wait until they witness a men's WC.

PS. I'm in Queensland - and the whole nation is in Matildas fever. Tonight's TV audience will be massive. People who have never followed 'soccer' discussing it non stop. Talk of a National Holiday if the Tillies go on to win the whole thing. Wouldn't surprise if after this the FA lobby the Aussie Govt to back another mens WC bid, moving on from their disastrous bid (as sole host) a few years back when they got the 1 vote losing out to Qatar. Spent like $50M on that bid, which caused some out rage at the time. But the success of this WWC and the goodwill, will start discussions afresh.

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

Indonesia and the U20 WC thing has already been forgotten. The dust hadn’t even settled on the U20 WC sagas before FIFA awarded the U17 World Cup for this year to them. But hey, there’s no place for (selective) racism.

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

We should just co host with Saudi Arabia and have them pay for the whole thing.

Buffon II

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

We should just co host with Saudi Arabia and have them pay for the whole thing.

We could host 2 pools of problematic visa countries like Israel, Russia, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Sudan, Syria to allow FIFA's new money spinner of a 96 team WC to proceed.

coochiee

Buffon II

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

We should just co host with Saudi Arabia and have them pay for the whole thing.

We could host 2 pools of problematic visa countries like Israel, Russia, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Sudan, Syria to allow FIFA's new money spinner of a 96 team WC to proceed.

Great idea, we can call it the Multipolar World Cup

I would echo a lot of the sentiment here - not particularly keen on it given spending requirements. 

Have also seen Club World Cup floated around - if needed upgrades/standards are a bit less that could alternatively be a go? 

coochiee

Buffon II

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

We should just co host with Saudi Arabia and have them pay for the whole thing.

We could host 2 pools of problematic visa countries like Israel, Russia, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Sudan, Syria to allow FIFA's new money spinner of a 96 team WC to proceed.

North Korea to be based in Palmerston North and complain that conditions are worse than back home.

coochiee

It takes over 6 hours to fly from Vancouver to Cancun, yet Canada & Mexico along with the US will cohost in 2026.

Indonesia's issue with the U20 WC was really solely the Governor of Bali, and the presence of the Israeli team. Not an insurmountable problem to fix.

What this WWC has shown that a mens WC would be absolutely huge (no disrespect to the WWC) down here. Pretty much every team would have 5,000 plus of travelling fans - that's yet not happening with the WWC.

It would by be by far the biggest sporting event held in these parts, and if the insular rugby fans have been surprised (and jealous) at the level football support in NZ/Aussie the last month - wait until they witness a men's WC.

PS. I'm in Queensland - and the whole nation is in Matildas fever. Tonight's TV audience will be massive. People who have never followed 'soccer' discussing it non stop. Talk of a National Holiday if the Tillies go on to win the whole thing. Wouldn't surprise if after this the FA lobby the Aussie Govt to back another mens WC bid, moving on from their disastrous bid (as sole host) a few years back when they got the 1 vote losing out to Qatar. Spent like $50M on that bid, which caused some out rage at the time. But the success of this WWC and the goodwill, will start discussions afresh.

Well they blamed the Bali governor but overall Indonesia wasnt really that keen having Israel grace their shores in any case...thats why Bali was picked in the first place because its more a 'Hindu' island than the rest of Indonesia which is Muslim.

ClubOranje

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

Indonesia and the U20 WC thing has already been forgotten. The dust hadn’t even settled on the U20 WC sagas before FIFA awarded the U17 World Cup for this year to them. But hey, there’s no place for (selective) racism.

Also Israel didnt qualify for the Under 17s which smoothed the way somewhat.

Sidi 1

ClubOranje

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

Indonesia and the U20 WC thing has already been forgotten. The dust hadn’t even settled on the U20 WC sagas before FIFA awarded the U17 World Cup for this year to them. But hey, there’s no place for (selective) racism.

Also Israel didnt qualify for the Under 17s which smoothed the way somewhat.

Correct, they didn’t. That’s the hypocrisy of it. 
FIFA “we won’t stand for any form of racism or discrimination“
FIFA “oh, you don’t want Jews to come, that’s ok, we’ll move this tournament and give you the next one because Israel didn’t qualify for that”

Buffon II

Fitzy

Indonesia burned a few bridges with FIFA over the recent u20 World Cup so that could be tricky. I saw Malaysian and Singapore mentioned as possibilities for a joint bid too. Crazy to think that countries separated by a 12 hour flight could be considered ‘co-hosts’ but theoretically possible, especially if 48-team world cups end up having regional hubs rather than any match being played anywhere. That seems to be where things are headed. 

We should just co host with Saudi Arabia and have them pay for the whole thing.

Nice reading of the tea leaves.

It's a wonder OFC didn't send their meth dealing Fijian administrator to sign the MOU.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-signs-mou-with-saudi-arabian-football-federation/

Fingers crossed 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023/132734927/fifa-womens-world-cup-football-in-nz-might-never-have-it-this-good-again-but-thats-ok

If it's just a decision on money then hard to see Saudi Arabia not getting the 2034 WC. But who could they co host a 48 team WC with? They have as many friends as enemies in the Middle East. It would also need to be another Nov-Dec WC (cooler months), pissing off the Euro club leagues again.

Hopefully NZF, FA and Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia or whoever start talking about their own co hosting bid.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/300983016/fifa-announces-shock-decision-to-stage-2030-mens-world-cup-across-three-continents

The decision has paved the way for the 2034 tournament to be in the Asia or Oceania region, with Saudi Arabia confirming they will be bidding.

So the 2034 WC will definitely be hosted by AFC (and maybe OFC). This has actually become a pretty big sport news story in Australia today. FIFA giving Australia only 25 days to make a decision whether to bid on the 2034 WC or not.

All smacks of FIFA already deciding it's going to Saudi Arabia. Reinforced by the AFC President (who is also a FIFA Vice President) already publicly backing Saudi.

Sounds like FIFA will decide on the 2030 & 2034 hosts together - though Portugal, Spaoin & Morocco are already confirmed as the other approved bid for 20230. Think I have that correct. Like Brisbane in the end was the only IOC approved bid for 2032 Olympics.

If Australia (presumably joint NZ & some SE Asian countries) did launch a bid, this could fracture relations in AFC.

Always seems that when the FIFA Congress vote on hosting rights, each Confederation votes as a bloc. But could Saudi verus Australia/NZ/Malaysia etc see a split AFC vote East veru West. How would others like UEFA, CONEMBOL, CONCACAF & CAF vote? If the days of brown envelopes and dirty vote buying are over (like the Qataris did), could an Australian co host bid stand a chance?

You'd think UEFA would prefer a normal June-July WC, which is presumably how an Australian based bid would do it.

Australia (and NZ etc) will have to think about this long and hard. Australia's already perilous position in AFC could be at large risk here, and they will be wary of wasting $45M like their last bid for the 2022 WC, to just embarrassingly get one vote. But then if following WCs follow the normal rotation through the other Confederations could be 16-20 years (so 2050-2054) before Aus/NZ can bid again!

James Johnson also said that Australia might bid on hosting the expanded 32 team CWC. So I guess that would be great Claytons prize.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/05/australia-fifa-world-cup-2034-bid-saudi-arabia-challenge

Typical FIFA. It’s a jack up. The Saudis will get the 2034 WC. Giving Australia 25 days to decide is scandalous and insulting. Australia should tell the bald git to shove it. Mean while it’s been confirmed that Spain, Portugal and Morocco will get 2030. That’s cool, except in yet another bizarre twist they have decided that the first three games will be hosted in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. So three other teams will have to fly to South America, play a game and then the six teams will have to fly 10,000 kms to join the other 42 teams in Europe/Morocco. Different time zone, different hemisphere, different season. Just when you thought FIFA couldn’t possible be more stupid. Mind you could be a gig for the All Whites…..fly to Europe via a game in St America.

coochiee

So the 2034 WC will definitely be hosted by AFC (and maybe OFC). This has actually become a pretty big sport news story in Australia today. FIFA giving Australia only 25 days to make a decision whether to bid on the 2034 WC or not.

All smacks of FIFA already deciding it's going to Saudi Arabia. Reinforced by the AFC President (who is also a FIFA Vice President) already publicly backing Saudi.

Sounds like FIFA will decide on the 2030 & 2034 hosts together - though Portugal, Spaoin & Morocco are already confirmed as the other approved bid for 20230. Think I have that correct. Like Brisbane in the end was the only IOC approved bid for 2032 Olympics.

If Australia (presumably joint NZ & some SE Asian countries) did launch a bid, this could fracture relations in AFC.

Always seems that when the FIFA Congress vote on hosting rights, each Confederation votes as a bloc. But could Saudi verus Australia/NZ/Malaysia etc see a split AFC vote East veru West. How would others like UEFA, CONEMBOL, CONCACAF & CAF vote? If the days of brown envelopes and dirty vote buying are over (like the Qataris did), could an Australian co host bid stand a chance?

You'd think UEFA would prefer a normal June-July WC, which is presumably how an Australian based bid would do it.

Australia (and NZ etc) will have to think about this long and hard. Australia's already perilous position in AFC could be at large risk here, and they will be wary of wasting $45M like their last bid for the 2022 WC, to just embarrassingly get one vote. But then if following WCs follow the normal rotation through the other Confederations could be 16-20 years (so 2050-2054) before Aus/NZ can bid again!

James Johnson also said that Australia might bid on hosting the expanded 32 team CWC. So I guess that would be great Claytons prize.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/05/australia-fifa-world-cup-2034-bid-saudi-arabia-challenge

FIFA can be unpredictable, and I believe all that Aus/NZ/others have to do by end of October is declare interest rather than submit a formal bid. 

You never quite know with FIFA voting, I'll say that. Remember for Womens World Cup 2023, the whole of Europe (including England!!) voted for Colombia, then the whole of North America (including Panama, who literally neighbour Colombia) voted for us. They've toughened up on the insane bribery that Qatar pulled off for 2022 as well and it's no longer a secret ballot too. If you don't bid you don't know. 

That said, I wouldn't mind Club World Cup 2029 either - in only its second true edition, it could be quite a unique event still and have a whole bunch of teams that otherwise would never come to NZ. 

Yes agree. Co hosting a Mens World Cup would be fantastic. Truly awesome. But a CWC would still be pretty damn good, though being only 32 teams Aussie may try to host that alone. However Aus-NZ football relations right now are as good as they have been in years.

Lets hope the U17 boys WC goes well in Indonesia without any major hitches.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/133119538/nz-football-engaged-in-2034-world-cup-talks-with-bid-deadline-fast-approaching

“Certainly Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia are appealing and because Australia is part of the Asian Football Confederation, they're leading the majority of the initial engagement into Southeast and East Asia and we'll be reconvening with them in the next week.”

Pragnell's comments follow those of Erick Thohir, the chair of the Indonesian football association, who said this week his country was "discussing [a bid] with Australia". He added that on recent visits to Malaysia and Singapore "both countries expressed interest to join Indonesia and Australia".

While New Zealand was not mentioned by Thohir, Pragnell was confident Football Australia would not leave its Oceania neighbour out of any plans.

“Certainly, the message from Australia is they wouldn't go without us," he said.

Bugger

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/300999911/saudi-arabia-set-to-host-2034-fifa-mens-world-cup-as-australia-decides-not-to-bid

Absolutely no point, it's clear the FIFA cartel has stitched this one up for Saudi. So much for more transparency after Russia and Qatar. Would be pouring money, time and energy into a hole. 

But 2029 Club World Cup co-hosting with Aus - that could be interesting!

Just sadly means will be likely 2046 or 2050 before realistically any chance of a mens WC ever being hosted in our part of the world. I maybe 6 foot under by then!

But yes having Barca, Man U, Boca Juniors or whoever play some competitive games in NZ would be cool.

No chance of a 2038 application then? 

As a Man United fan I love your optimism @coochiee

The Aussie bid was always dead in the water. Infantino would have quietly told Australia to get lost. It’s a jack up…..FIFA showing once again their complete lack of morals when they sniff big $$$, and the Saudis will offer plenty. Though no body is saying anything officially the Europeans are seething. It means another UEFA season disrupted with a winter WC. Plus nobody was happy about Qatar because of human right abuses…..well Saudi Arabia is 1000 times worse. With the Aussie bid gone there will be no vote. This is going to cause big big problems.

martinb

No chance of a 2038 application then? 

AFC is 2034 then will rotate back through UEFA, CONCACAF, CONEMBOL and maybe CAF in whatever order. That seems most likely.

What might be a chance for earlier than 2046 or 2050 is OFC (so NZ) in any joint bid. So a different confederation again in the rotation

Disappointing but expected/realistic (given the resources, stadia, travel issues) news from Australia & NZ not to bid for 2034 Men's World Cup. Glad to have made the most of the Women's World Cup this year down this way. Would be nice to have the Ferns a bit more prominent as part of that legacy.

New Zealand should go for co-hosting 2029 Club World Cup with Aus. It would be epic. 

coochiee

martinb

No chance of a 2038 application then? 

AFC is 2034 then will rotate back through UEFA, CONCACAF, CONEMBOL and maybe CAF in whatever order. That seems to what will happen

What might be a chance for earlier than 2046 or 2050 is OFC (so NZ) in any joint bid. So a different confederation again in the rotation

Yep- after a Saudi Games one including the poorest confederation might be the go? 

I’d just seen it mooted as a possibility because of the shenanigans with the different confederations next time up.