LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine)- The football associations of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland agreed against bidding for World Cup 2030.
Instead, they’ll concentrate on a united effort to host Euro 2028.
The decision follows the UK government’s £2.8 million investment in a feasibility report into the application.
Julian Knight, the leader of the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) committee, earlier condemned the potential World Cup bid as a “giant, expensive vanity project.
“It’s unacceptable that £2.8m in taxpayer money was wasted on a pipe dream that was clearly doomed from the start. Football in the UK needs to sort out its reputation at home before we can go after the biggest tournament.” he said on Monday.
The football associations of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have decided to focus on an official candidacy to host Uefa Euro 2028 as a study says.
“Hosting a Uefa Euro presents a similar return on investment,” according to a statement, “with the European competition having a significantly lower delivery cost and the possibility for benefits to be realised sooner.”
“It would be a privilege and an honour to host Euro 2028 as a group and to welcome the entire continent.”
“It would also be a fantastic opportunity to show the genuine impact of hosting a world-class football event by promoting positive change and leaving behind a legacy that leaves a mark on our communities.”
In case of a successful bid of 2030, the government of UK has stated previously that it will invest £550 million in grassroots football, with PM Boris Johnson intending to “change lives with a legacy to match the 2012 Olympics.”
England’s quest to host the 2018 World Cup, which was held in Russia, was unsuccessful, despite the efforts of former Prime Minister David Cameron Prince William and former captain David Beckham.
The UK government backed the five football associations’ decision, saying it was “passionate” about bringing the World Cup to the UK and Ireland “when the time is right.”
The English FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, described both proposals as “great” chances, but added that after weighing the “winnability” of each, the decision was reached to go with the Euro 2028 bid.
He also expressed “uncertainty” about future World Cups, noting that Fifa, football’s world governing body, has suggested hosting the tournament every two years as part of a redesigned calendar.
The impact of a successful candidacy for Wales, according to FA of Wales president Stephen Williams, would be “immeasurable” and would leave a “long-lasting legacy.”
All of the organisations have stated that they would carry on with government partners on next measures.
