June 28, (THEWILL) – Australia is actively considering the possibility of hosting the expanded Club World Cup, according to Football Australia (FA) Chief, James Johnson.
In a recent interview, Johnson intimated his belief in the tournament’s potential for success under FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. “It’s going to grow, over the years. Gianni really grew the Champions League at Uefa, he knows what it takes to do that. To one day have the best club teams coming to our shores (would be) only good for Australian football,” he started.
Johnson, who previously worked with Infantino, revealed that FA is considering a joint bid with New Zealand to host the second edition of the Club World Cup in 2029. This comes as Australia and New Zealand prepare to co-host the Women’s World Cup this year, which Johnson sees as a potential springboard for a joint bid for the men’s tournament in 2034.
The upcoming Women’s World Cup, set to kick off in Auckland and Sydney on July 20, has been a major focus for Australia and New Zealand. Johnson remarked that their immediate priority is delivering the best-ever Women’s World Cup experience.
Following the final edition of the Club World Cup featuring seven teams, which is scheduled to be hosted by Saudi Arabia later this year, the tournament will transition to an expanded format and take place every four years. Johnson’s enthusiasm and optimism for the growth of the Club World Cup point to Australia’s interest in playing a significant role in international football tournaments.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
