fter Qatar 2022, it is assumed
the next Asian World Cup will be
in China, with India an outside
bet. Yet there is a region that is
home to over 600 million people,
connects those two massive
countries and loves football more than either.
In the space of a few days in late June, the
possibility emerged of two bids from Southeast
Asia. Both are still long shots, but if all goes to
plan then the Final of a tropical 2034 World Cup
could be beaming around the planet from Jakarta,
Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur.
There has long been talk among some of the 10
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
members of possible bids before, but these have
been between two or three nations before one
usually drops out and it all falls apart.
But this time things look a little different; for the
first time the idea has been talked about at the very
top. It started with the prime minister of Thailand,
Prayut Chan-o-cha.
“The leaders have the support of the region
to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, if possible,”
says Prayut. “I would like to invite the people of
ASEAN to support the soccer associations in order
to realise this dream.” And those comments have
been echoed by Malaysia’s prime minister and
backed up by leading officials in Vietnam.
There were initial claims that all 10 ASEAN
nations could serve as co-hosts, which would
mean possible trips for players and fans to
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam.
However, that
number is unlikely
according to Somyot
Poompanmoung, the
president of the
Football Association
of Thailand, who
believes that four or
five co-hosts may be
the best way forward.
Somyot says: “It
depends on the
government andBidding war
breaks out
China’s World Cup 2034 plans face
challenge from ASEAN countries
the leaders. But we know that in 2034 or 2038 it will
be the turn of Asia.
“We have had the World Cup in East Asia already,
back in 2002. It will come to West Asia in 2022, so
it could be somewhere between the next time.
“If we make an ASEAN agreement then we should
have a good chance. Whatever happens, we would like
to make noise and activity in ASEAN football.
“It is hard for one country to host the World Cup now
there are 48 teams. You probably need more than 12
stadiums, maybe 16. But we have to show that we can
make money for FIFA. The United States, Canada and
Mexico can make more money than Morocco. We are
a region of more than 600 million. Of course, we know
that China is a big country, with a big economy, but we
can give football in ASEAN a big boost.”
As well as tourism, the region has some experience
of co-hosting tournaments, with Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi,
Jakarta and Bangkok staging one group each at the
2007 Asian Cup. It worked well and the Asian Football
Confederation was fine with the idea of allowing each
host to get an automatic place in the tournament at a
time when they were far from regular participants.
Even with the expansion to 48 teams, FIFA – not to
mention the rest of Asia – would not allow four or five
ASEAN teams direct entry to the World Cup when it is
possible that none would qualify automatically. The idea
of having a regional all-star team with players fromReady...Singapore’s National Stadium
already meets FIFA requirements“It is hard for one country to host the World Cup
now there are 48 teams. You probably need more
than 12 stadiums, maybe 16”
Somyot Poompanmoung, president of the Football Association of Thailand
A
Southeast Asia
JOHN DUERDEN