Asian countries mount joint World Cup bid
A proposal to stage the football World Cup in south-east Asia in 2030 is being considered by members of ASEAN, the Association of South-east Asian nations.
Zainudin Nordin, president of the Singapore FA, revealed that the proposal had been made at an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting.
"It is possible for ASEAN to jointly host the event in 20 years’ time and to possibly meet the football standards then due to the aggressive football youth development programmes of ASEAN member nations," he said.
"A joint bid by ASEAN will raise the international profile of the region and will also unite citizens of the member nations."
The ASEAN group comprises 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
In 2007, four ASEAN countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam – hosted the Asian Cup.
Indonesia was also briefly involved in the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup before withdrawing its candidature in March last year.
Although any decision on the 2030 finals will not be made by Fifa for more than a decade, the ASEAN nations are the second party to show an interest, following an announcement last year that Argentina and Uruguay could also consider a joint bid.