The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has vehemently denied reports suggesting that Malaysia is in talks with Indonesia about a joint bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. FAM President Hamidin Amin clarified that no such discussions have taken place, and Malaysia has no intentions of bidding for the prestigious football tournament.
In response to the news reported by the New Straits Times, President Hamidin Amin firmly stated, “We have never had any conversation on hosting the 2034 World Cup with anyone. And we also have no intention to bid to host the World Cup anytime soon. We, along with a majority of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nations, are backing Saudi Arabia’s bid. We believe Saudi Arabia can host a successful World Cup.”
The announcement comes following a Reuters report that quoted Indonesia’s football federation president, Erick Thohir, as saying that Indonesia was in discussions with Australia about the possibility of bidding for the 2034 World Cup, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore. Erick Thohir claimed that Malaysia and Singapore had expressed interest in joining forces with Indonesia and Australia to host the tournament, and these statements had sparked speculation in the football community.
The talks about a joint bid had generated intrigue within the Southeast Asian football community, as such a collaboration could have had a significant impact on the region’s footballing landscape. However, FAM’s clear stance has put an end to any such speculations.
The governing body of world football, FIFA, had recently invited member associations from Asia and Oceania to submit bids for hosting the 2034 edition of the tournament. This invitation has sparked interest and discussions among several nations within these regions.
FAM’s resolute decision to back Saudi Arabia’s bid underscores their confidence in the Middle Eastern nation’s ability to host a successful World Cup. Saudi Arabia’s potential bid has garnered support from many Asian football associations, and the 2034 World Cup hosting race continues to evolve.
