Indonesia is expressing interest in hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup with Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore

The head of the nation’s football association (PSSI) said on Wednesday that Indonesia and Australia are in talks regarding the possibility of submitting a combined application to host the 2034 World Cup with Malaysia and Singapore.

The Asian and Oceanian member organizations of FIFA were asked to submit bids for the rights to the 2034 edition last week.

The Sydney Morning Herald cited PSSI President Erick Thohir as stating, “We are discussing (a bid) with Australia.”

Both Malaysia and Singapore indicated interest in joining Indonesia and Australia when I visited there.

Football Australia directed Reuters to a statement from last week that said it was “exploring the possibility of bidding for the FIFA Club World Cup 2029 and/or the FIFA World Cup 2034” when asked for comment on a potential joint bid.

A request for comment from Reuters has gone unanswered by the PSSI.

FIFA encouraged Asia and Oceania to submit a proposal for the 2034 World Cup after revealing that Spain, Morocco, and Portugal will host the 2030 tournament, with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina hosting the opening matches.

FIFA has given other interested parties until October 31 to declare their intentions after Saudi Arabia swiftly confirmed its desire to compete for the hosting rights.

Thohir said that it could be too soon for the World Cup to come to the Middle East after Qatar hosted the 2022 edition.

“We are quite strong,” he said. “I believe FIFA will recognize that Qatar was the host nation in the Middle East last year. Korea and Japan have also hosted. FIFA will undoubtedly try other nations.

“Our chances of winning are higher if we band together with Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore.”

The 48-team 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as its hosts.