It is anticipated that the Football Association would back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup and a multi-nation 2030 World Cup.
The FA has not formally expressed its position, but BBC Sport understands the governing body for English football will support both bids during Wednesday afternoon’s online Fifa Congress, where the tournament hosts will be officially decided.
Following the Congress, the FA is anticipated to release a statement outlining their viewpoint.
Saudi Arabia is the single bidder for the 2034 event, while the 2030 World Cup will be granted to uncontested co-hosts Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with early matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
While Saudi Arabia’s hosting appears to be a formality, the FA’s backing for the country’s candidacy will be contentious, given the kingdom’s human rights record and discriminatory policies.
Rather than a typical vote, it has been proposed that the ratification process be verified by acclamation, with federations in favour requested to cheer.
Delegates will have to vote on both bids simultaneously, which means they can either support or oppose both. There is no separate voting for the tournaments.
The Norwegian football federation intends to abstain from the vote, claiming that the bidding process “undermines Fifa’s own reforms for good governance”.
On Friday, the DFB, Germany’s national football association, stated that it will support both proposals.
“We did not make this decision lightly and carefully examined the application for the 2034 World Cup,” DFB president Bernd Neuendorf stated.
“We take the applicant country’s criticism seriously and will maintain conversation. Our goal is to collaborate with Fifa to rectify the situation in the next years.”
