Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has announced its support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, ending the possibility of Indonesia’s own proposal to co-host the event with Australia.
PSSI Chief Erick Thohir had recently said the country was in talks with Australia for a possible joint 2034 World Cup bid, despite the Asian confederation having declared its support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy. Thohir, who also serves as a government minister and was formerly the owner of Serie A club Inter Milan, said the country would now look to host the event after 2034. The country, however, continues to prepare for its bid to host the FIFA World Cup after 2034, and other FIFA competitions, he added.
Indonesia’s joint bid proposal with Australia could also have involved games in New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Australian officials had mentioned the possibility of a joint bid for the 2034 World Cup with Jakarta in June.
Global football body FIFA has invited bids from the Asia and Oceania regions for the rotating World Cup hosting rights, with October 31 as deadline, after naming Morocco, Spain and Portugal as joint hosts for 2030. Saudi Arabia’s bid is the latest step in a campaign to turn the Kingdom into a global sports powerhouse.
