The Indonesian Football Association unexpectedly announced today, Wednesday, that it is abandoning its plans to host the 2034 World Cup, while simultaneously expressing its support for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the global event. This announcement came a week after Indonesian Football Association President Erik Thohir revealed that he was in talks with Australia regarding a potential joint bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
Thohir's plans changed just hours before a virtual meeting of the Asian Football Confederation, which includes 47 members, including Australia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia's withdrawal from the World Cup hosting race would enhance Saudi Arabia's chances of winning the honor of hosting the global event, especially since the Kingdom has received unconditional support from several Asian and Arab countries since announcing its intention to bid for the major sporting event at the beginning of this month.
The Asian Football Confederation announced its support for the Saudi bid, with its President, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, stating: "The entire Asian football family will unite to support Saudi Arabia's important initiative, and we are committed to working closely with the global football family to ensure its success."
For its part, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation stated in a statement that more than 100 FIFA member associations have pledged their support for the Saudi bid.
