The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) met with top officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to debate a possible joint bid by ASEAN countries to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
This is the primary visible sign of progress in ASEAN’s potential bid for the 2034 World Cup, announced by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in June 2019.
FAT President Somyot Poompunmuang met on Friday in Bangkok with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs team led by Paitoon Mahapannaporn, deputy director general of the Department of ASEAN Affairs.
According to the Bangkok Post, the meeting discussed the tender procedure, starting with obtaining the support of the AFC and its member countries.
“There will then be the submission of relevant documents to FIFA, specifically representation letters from all ASEAN governments confirming their support for the offer. Other documents needed include official approvals from the cities where the matches will happen, the stadiums where the matches are played and training venues, in addition to regarding legal issues, ticket sales and accommodation,” the Thai every day wrote.
“A strategic plan for hosting the World Cup can be required, in addition to host country human rights and labor policies and other safety and transportation facilities for visitors in host cities. World soccer’s governing body also requires some assurances in regards to the financial stability of host countries,” the report added.
10 countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam – make up ASEAN, while Australia and Timor-Leste are also members of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).
While it remains to be unclear which ASEAN countries will take part in the joint bid, the Australian Football Federation has revealed that it has held talks with Indonesia’s PSSI to jointly bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Source: Fox Sport Asia
