TALKS TO BRING FIFA WORLD CUP TO WELSH CAPITAL

Wales confirm talks over bold bid to bring the football World Cup to Cardiff
By Paul Abbandonato

Wales are part of a joint home nations bid for 2030 finals

After the Champions League Final could the World Cup be coming to the Principality Stadium?

Wales have confirmed talks have begun over plans to bring the football World Cup to Cardiff.

Provisional conversations have taken place between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland over a joint UK bid for the 2030 tournament.

The bold plan was first revealed immediately after the tournament in Russia this summer, with Prime Minister Theresa May saying the Government would support the British bid following England's success in reaching the semi-finals.

Labour say they are also fully behind the proposal.

England would be the main drivers for the 2030 bid and FA of Wales boss Jonathan Ford said conversations have subsequently taken place.

The 74,000-seater Principality Stadium will form a key part of a feasibility study which is to be conducted by the home nations.

The proposal would extend to the whole of Ireland, enabling games to also be staged in Dublin.


It is far too early to speculate whether a successful home nations bid would mean automatic qualification into the finals, although that would appear unlikely.

There are set to be rival joint bids from different continents.

Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay have already announced plans to host together on what would be the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup that was staged in South America.

Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are putting together an African package, while there is talk Spain and Portugal want to provide a European alternative to the British plan.


Home nations powerbrokers held early talks at one of their recent regular get-togethers and Ford told BBC Wales: "This is something that has come up in conversation and it is something we are looking into.

"There is going to be a little bit of a feasibility study to see whether or not a UK-wide bid, a home nations bid or similar, would be a powerful, strong bid.

"Personally, I think it would be. We'd have a very strong and compelling bid.

"We have a fantastic stadium with the Principality Stadium and we'd love to be there, but there's a lot of discussions to be had."


FAW boss Jonathan Ford reckons Cardiff can present a 'compelling case'

England acted immediately after the World Cup following the buzz that surrounded the success of Gareth Southgate's side reaching the last four.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have also confirmed their enthusiasm for the project.

The PM's spokesman said previously: "The UK as a whole has a superb track record of putting on major sporting events. We are happy to sit with the football bodies to discuss any proposals."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: “It's the national game, it can bring the country together, it can give us hope.

“If we're in government, I hope it's one of the first things a Labour government does, which is work with our FA to try and put a World Cup bid together.

“If the Conservatives are still in government, then we'd like to work with them to make sure that a bid is successful.”


FIFA insist upon minimum 40,000 capacity stadia for World Cup games, meaning the only suitable venue in Wales is the Principality Stadium.

The Welsh Rugby Union, who own the ground, will be fully supportive of the plan.


The UEFA Champions League final held in Wales last year was a roaring success, with Real Madrid and Juventus talking up the Cardiff experience.

Football returns to the home of Welsh rugby in October when Ryan Giggs' Wales play a glamour friendly against Spain.

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I hope it happens and that I am still alive

I hope it happens and that I am still alive

Same here, this would be amazing for Wales!!

I hope it happens and that I am still alive

Same here, this would be amazing for Wales!!

Agree! Would be immense and another sporting feather in our capital city's already bulging cap!

CCS would be made bigger if this happened surely...

x 2 stadiums in Cardiff

Hope the two tier end is made into three to complete the bowl.Spoils what should be one of the worlds iconic stadiums.

Wait for it off the jacks,Cardiff gets everything

I'm a loyal Wales fan , couldnt get a ticket as was working.

Any spare tickets please

Hope the two tier end is made into three to complete the bowl.Spoils what should be one of the worlds iconic stadiums.

I understand Cardiff RFC recently declined to sell and move out (again)?

Hope the two tier end is made into three to complete the bowl.Spoils what should be one of the worlds iconic stadiums.

I understand Cardiff RFC recently declined to sell and move out (again)?

It's not the RFC, its the Athletic club who own the land and won't sell.

Hope the two tier end is made into three to complete the bowl.Spoils what should be one of the worlds iconic stadiums.

I understand Cardiff RFC recently declined to sell and move out (again)?

It's not the RFC, its the Athletic club who own the land and won't sell.

Yes, you are correct. I knew I'd read something though! Thanks, Wayne