Saudi Arabia are expected to lead a three-country bid alongside Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup.
It's believed the governments of each nation have approved the proposal. The Saudis will reportedly pay most of the costs for staging the tournament, which would need to be held in the European winter due to each country's soaring temperatures in June and July.
If approved, it would be the second World Cup to be staged in the European winter in eight years after the Qatar World Cup, which starts on November 20. The Saudi-Egypt-Greece bid is likely to be met with some resistance for a variety of reasons.
As reported by Greek outlet TO10, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has submitted an application to a company in the US for 'processing'. The host for the 2030 World Cup is not set to be finalised until the 74th FIFA congress, due to be held in 2024.
It's believed the Saudis want most of games played in their country. All future World Cups are likely to be played in multiple countries, as the competition will be expanded from 32 to 48 nations from the 2026 edition - held in the USA, Canada and Mexico - onwards.
For example, the 2026 World Cup is expected to see 16 stadiums across the three countries used. It's believed the Saudi-Egypt-Greece bid will see four new stadiums in Greece, at least two new stadiums in Saudi Arabia and at least one new stadium in Egypt built.
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UEFA and European leagues (bar the Super League Greece, of course) will be resistant to a Saudi-Egypt-Greece World Cup, as all top-flight and continental club competitions would need to be suspended - just like they will be for this year's tournament in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in sport in recent years. It's just over a year since their state-run sovereign-wealth fund were controversially allowed to purchase Premier League side Newcastle.
Saudi Arabia also back the divisive LIV Golf league, hold an F1race each year and have held multiple boxing events, most recently Anthony Joshua's second world title defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. The country will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Saudi Arabia's sporting project emulates Qatar's and the UAE's. As well as this year's World Cup, Qatar's portfolio includes Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. The UAE, meanwhile, boast the City Football Group - which includes Manchester City.
If approved, the Saudi-Egypt-Greece bid will be the first ever inter-confederation World Cup. UEFA are hopeful a joint-bid from Spain, Portugal and Ukraine will win - while Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile are set to put forward South America's case.
