Britain plot to host FIFA World Cup and Andy Burnham already has imaginative and prescient with FA talks held
Prime Minister Andy Burnham hopes to see the FIFA World Cup return to the United Kingdom for the first time since 1966, he has told colleagues
Andy Burnham wants to bring the World Cup back to British shores(Image: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Andy Burnham wants to bring the men’s World Cup to the UK, as well as a Northern Olympics.
The new PM told colleagues on Friday he is looking at how Britain can host the tournament, and had already mentioned his vision to officials at the FA.
While there are no official plans for the UK to launch a bid, it is understood Mr Burnham wants the UK to host more events to help drive growth. It is also reported Burnham hopes to bring the 2035 Ryder Cup to Bolton.
England last hosted the World Cup 60 years ago, where the Three Lions lifted the trophy for the first time so far after beating West Germany at Wembley.
A UK government spokesperson said: “The UK is committed to delivering world-class major sporting events with pride, with the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grands Départs 2027 and UEFA EURO 2028 secured, and active bids for the 2029 World Athletics Championships and 2035 Women’s World Cup.
“As the Prime Minister has made clear, we will continue to pursue sporting events that bring communities together, drive regional growth and create jobs across the country.”
Earlier this month he agreed that it was “insane” that the country that invented modern football has not hosted the men’s World Cup since 1966.
“It makes you wonder whether the authorities at the European and global level have something against us,” he told Ellis Platten, host of the Away Days podcast.
“The country that invented the game, you’d think we would have had a bit more of that attention.”
It comes just weeks after Mr Burnham tore into FIFA for being ‘sell outs’ over their now axed plan to sell a share of the World Cup.
Mr Burnham was previously Culture Secretary under Gordon Brown, when England failed in their bid for the 2018 World Cup, which was ultimately awarded to Russia.
The United Kingdom hosts Euro 2028 alongside Ireland in two years’ time. The 2030 World Cup will take place across Spain, Morocco and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay also hosting matches. The 2034 World Cup then takes place in Saudi Arabia.
The United Kingdom hosts Euro 2028 alongside Ireland in two years’ time. Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, Wembley, Hampden Park, the Principality Stadium, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will play host to the action.
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Meanwhile, a coalition of northern mayors is believed to have been pushing for a multi-city Olympic and Paralympic bid. They feel that any future Games bid should be focused on rebalancing the distribution of major events and investment away from London.
Burnham has suggested it would not be ‘fair or right’ for London to become a host city for a fourth time.
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