SINGAPORE: Back in 2009, there was widespread incredulity when Qatar announced its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
In contrast, Southeast Asia is a huge and diverse region, home to close to 700 million people and famous to even more around the world thanks to its food, beaches, cities, wildlife and culture. Yet, 10 sounds unwieldy and unworkable and even if such obstacles can be overcome, just persuading others that they can will not be easy. Getting past the initial and instinctive scepticism that has already made itself known could be the biggest challenge facing ASEAN’s bid.
In organising and coordinating this global sporting affair, having to deal with all the different laws, languages, financial systems, taxes, currencies and plenty more may be all too much. Don’t be too surprised if FIFA next comes up with a maximum number of co-hosts.For the 2026 World Cup, it is expected that the hosts will submit a shortlist of 20-25 venues for FIFA to select at least 12.
There are stumbling blocks, not least that Malaysia does not currently allow entry to visitors from Israel. This policy resulted in FIFA moving its 2017 Congress away from Kuala Lumpur and if Malaysia wants part of any future World Cup, there may have to be changes. There is also a chance that India, a market that FIFA is more heavily invested in and even more keen to grow the game, could throw its hat in the ring but it could well be that 2034 will come around a little too soon for the South Asian giant.
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