Australia urged to make bid for 2050 FIFA World Cup

Australia was urged to pursue a bid to host the 2050 FIFA World Cup, with the push gaining momentum inside Federal Labor. A motion passed at Labor’s national conference asked the federal government to seek hosting rights for the tournament, including with neighbouring countries, and framed the effort around upgrades to regional infrastructure and cross-border hosting partnerships. The proposal also calls for developing a national football facility aimed at strengthening pathways from grassroots football. Supporters linked the timing to Australia’s rising World Cup interest following the Socceroos’ run to the round of 32 in the recent tournament in the United States. Suggested co-hosts include New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore. Australia has never hosted a men’s World Cup, though it co-hosted the 2023 Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, where the Matildas reached the semi-finals. The country’s 2022 men’s bid received only one vote, with Qatar selected, and Australia opted out of any bids for 2034, awarded to Saudi Arabia.