Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid boosted by Indonesia changing sides after Australia co-host talks
2034 World Cup, Indonesian soccer leader Erick Thohir said on Wednesday that his federation now supports Saudi Arabia. Thohir's change of plan was detailed in a statement on the Indonesian soccer federation website hours before an online meeting of the Asian Football Confederation, whose 47 members include Australia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged AFC members to «be united for the 2034 World Cup.»
Infantino has long been a close ally of Saudi soccer and the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and FIFA's surprise decision two weeks ago to fast-track bidding for the 2034 men's tournament was seen as favourable for them.
Only members of the AFC and Oceania's soccer body — New Zealand and scattered Pacific islands — can bid for the 2034 tournament, FIFA said this month, after accepting a single 2030 co-host bid teaming Europe, Africa and South America across six nations.
FIFA gave federations in Asia and Oceania an October 31 deadline to show interest and just one month more to submit a detailed bidding agreement with government support.
Saudi Arabia confirmed its intention almost immediately after FIFA opened the contest on October 4.
Within minutes, the AFC's president, Bahraini royal family member Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, said the Saudis had its united backing.
Speculation about an Australia-Indonesia plan, possibly including Malaysia and Singapore, suggested there was not the Asian unity Sheikh Salman had suggested.
Indonesia's announcement Wednesday isolated Australia if it wants to make a 2034 bid to follow its successful co-hosting of the 2023 Women's World Cup with New Zealand.
