The Football Associations of the United Kingdom and Ireland announced today that they have abandoned their ambition to host the 2030 World Cup to focus on the competition to host Euro 2028.
In a joint statement, the five associations – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland – said a feasibility study funded by the British government had shown there was very little chance of winning a World Cup place.
Instead, they argued, the European Cup offered a similar return on investment, because the cost of organising it was much lower and the potential benefits could be realised sooner.
European federations have until March 23 to submit their bids to host Euro 2028, but the winner will not be known until September 2023.
England and Scotland hosted 12 matches of last summer’s Euro 2020 tournament, which had to be postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although the riots at Wembley Stadium in London during the final between the English team and Italy could affect Uefa’s decision.
The next World Cup is scheduled to be held in November in Qatar, while Canada, the United States and Mexico will share the 2026 tournament venue.
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