Australia backed out of a bid to host the 2034 World Cup but the country may now be well positioned to host another global football tournament.
Last week’s decision left the path clear for Saudi Arabia to host the competition, 12 years after Qatar became the first Arab nation to put on the event in 2022.
Having hosted the Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2023, hosting the men’s equivalent seemed like destiny for Australia. However, the country spent AUD46 million (£24 million) on a bid for last year’s World Cup, which only attracted one vote. By contrast, Saudi Arabia appears to have a bottomless appetite and bank account for the beautiful game, having transformed its domestic league to sign players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Nonetheless, Australia’s football association believes that it too has a place in the proverbial sun despite missing out on the biggest competition.
“We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the Fifa World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” a statement read after the verdict on Tuesday.
“Instead, we believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and then welcome the greatest teams in world football for the 2029 Fifa Club World Cup.
“Achieving this – following the Fifa Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 and with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games – would represent a truly golden decade for Australian football.”
What is the current Fifa Club World Cup?
Last year, Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, announced the advent of a new and expanded Club World Cup.
The tournament will now contain 32 of “the best teams in the world” and it is thought the game’s global governing body wants it to rival the Uefa Champions League, currently the most lucrative club competition.
Currently, the Club World Cup contains seven teams, who are each federation’s premier tournament winners. Real Madrid are the current holders but, as Champions League winners, Manchester City will aim to succeed them when they play the 2023 edition in Saudi Arabia in December.
What are the plans for the expansion?
The expansion – originally planned for 2021 in China before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic – will begin from 2025 and there are plans for a Club World Cup to be introduced into the women’s game.
Speaking before the World Cup final in Qatar, Mr Infantino announced the tournament would be expanded to 32 of the “best teams in the world”.
“The new men’s Club World Cup will therefore take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams, the best teams in the world,” he said.
“Of course, the details of that still need to be discussed and agreed but the 32-team tournament will go ahead, making it really like a World Cup.”
It has not been disclosed who will qualify but it is thought more teams from Europe, say, will get the chance if they perform well in the Champions League.
At present, those who qualify are winners of the Uefa Champions League, AFC Champions League, Copa Libertadores, CAF Champions League, Concacaf Champions League and the OFC Champions League, alongside the domestic league winners of the host nation.
The first expanded World Club Cup will be held in the US in 2025 in June and July – a shift from the traditional winter date. It is also set to be held once every four years, and one year before the World Cup, making the next event in 2029.
