Ireland could end up hosting the football and rugby World Cups in the early part of the next decade, if bids for both tournaments are successful.
The FAI, along with the Northern Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh football associations, issued a
statement last night which says that "The football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland are delighted that the UK government has committed to support a prospective five association bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. We will continue to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid before FIFA formally open the process in 2022."
https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1366516346306121730
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Sport Jack Chambers added last night that "I am delighted that the UK Gov has committed to support a prospective five-association bid for the 2030 World Cup. My department will continue feasibility work, together with partners, to assess the viability of a bid. We look forward to extensive engagement in the coming months."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the English Rugby Football Union has said that "The four rugby unions of the UK and Ireland are considering the merits of a joint bid to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup. Collective discussions with government partners across the UK and Ireland have not yet taken place and a decision on whether to bid has not yet been made.”
If both bids go ahead and manage to be successful, a hell of a party awaits throughout 2030 and 2031. The next football World Cup will take place in Qatar in December 2022, following by Canada, Mexico and the USA in 2026. The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be hosted by France.
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