The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is contemplating the prospect of hosting select matches of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is slated to take place in Saudi Arabia. In a significant development, FIFA, the global football governing authority, officially declared Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder for the prestigious 2034 World Cup after the October 31 deadline.
During an Emergency Congress of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) convened on October 18, strong backing for Saudi Arabia’s bid was expressed. India, aligning with this stance, threw its support behind the host nation.
AIFF express desire to host FIFA World Cup 2034 matches in India
Now according to reports from PTI, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, in discussions with the executive committee members, advocated for India to explore the possibility of hosting a few matches during the 2034 World Cup. With a total of 104 matches scheduled for the 48-team tournament, the proposal envisions India potentially hosting approximately 10 matches.
“The president informed the house that India should think or plan to work towards being a co-host for the World Cup in 2034,” the draft minutes of the AIFF Executive Committee held on November 9 said.
It’s noteworthy that FIFA confined the hosting eligibility of the WC to Asia or Oceania, following the decision to hold the 2030 edition across three continents—Africa, Europe, and South America. Adding to Saudi Arabia’s football hosting portfolio, the nation is set to organize the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, a responsibility it undertook after India withdrew from the bid to host this prestigious continental tournament.
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