PSSI Chairman Answers The Possibility Of Indonesia Hosting The 2034 FIFA World Cup

Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Ulfa Gusti Utami/VOI)

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum) Erick Thohir discussed the Indonesian opportunity to host the 2034 World Cup. According to him, this has been discussed for a long time, not just news that suddenly appears.

Erick Thohir said that the bidding process to host the 2034 World Cup had started since 2017. At that time there was a discussion that Indonesia would advance as the host along with a number of Southeast Asian countries.

Based on the plan, Indonesia then opened talks with Australia in 2019 to propose to host the 2034 World Cup.

"Regarding the 2034 World Cup, I never really talked long, but the journey of the world cup bidding started in 2017 when Southeast Asian countries talked about whether we want to be together," said Erick Thohir during a press conference at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta on Tuesday, October 10.

"Then in 2019 there was talk between Indonesia and Australia at that time because several Southeast Asian countries were still advancing and I was not yet the General Chair of PSSI," he continued.

The discussion between Indonesia and Australia regarding plans to propose to host the 2034 World Cup then continued when PSSI, which was led by Erick Thohir, attended the FIFA congress in Rwanda in March 2023.

"When Indonesia got the opportunity to become a blind home to the U-20 World Cup yesterday, I was present at the FIFA conrges in Rwanda there was indeed a discussion between Indonesia and Australia whether this long discussion (about hosting the World Cup) would be continued."

At that time Australia agreed and invited the cooperation I also agreed to. "We also conveyed to the president, the president gave a positive response," explained Erick Thohir.

Furthermore, the PSSI chairman also provided the latest information that FIFA extended the assessment period to include the bid to host the 2034 World Cup until October 31. Erik Thohir took this opportunity to pursue Australia's seriousness.

But on the other hand, there is also the possibility that Indonesia has the opportunity to host the 2034 World Cup along with other countries, namely New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

"Indeed, this discussion continues until the FIFA conference decides there is an acceleration of entering the bidding, which is until October 31. So that's where Australia invites us to have serious conversations and we are ready," said Erick Thohir.

"So there is an option for us to host together with Australia and New Zealand, then we together with Southeast Asian countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia," he said.