Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is the “right time” for the UK and Republic of Ireland to launch a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
The UK government will reportedly pledge £2.8m to kick-start the process in Wednesday’s Budget.
The football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland say they are “delighted” with the government’s commitment.
“We are very, very keen to bring football home in 2030,” Johnson said.
In an interview with the Sun, he added: “I do think it’s the right place. It’s the home of football, it’s the right time. It will be an absolutely wonderful thing for the country.
“We want to see a bonanza of football in the years ahead.”
A feasibility study will continue before the formal World Cup bidding process begins in 2022.
A joint-statement from the football associations of England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland read: “The football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland are delighted that the UK government has committed to support a prospective five-association bid for the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
“The FAs will continue to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid before Fifa formally opens the process in 2022.
“Staging a Fifa World Cup would provide an incredible opportunity to deliver tangible benefits for our nations.
“If a decision is made to bid for the event, we look forward to presenting our hosting proposals to Fifa and the wider global football community.”
Johnson also told the newspaper the UK was prepared to host additional Euro 2020 games, after the government last week unveiled plans to end all restrictions on social contact in England by 21 June.
The Euros were postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and are now set to take place across 12 host cities this summer. It is understood that Uefa still intends the tournament to go ahead in this way.
Wembley will host seven games – including the final and semi-finals – of Euro 2020, while Glasgow and Dublin will also host games.
England is also hosting the postponed Women’s European Championship in 2022.
The last major men’s football tournament played in the UK was the 1996 European Championship, which England hosted 30 years after staging its only World Cup.
| 2006: Germany | 2018: Russia |
| 2010: South Africa | 2022: Qatar |
| 2014: Brazil | 2026: US, Canada and Mexico |
England failed with a bid – fronted by former captain David Beckham, Prince William and former prime minister David Cameron – to host the 2018 World Cup, which went to Russia.
World Cups from 2026 onwards will be contested by 48 team, beginning when the US, Canada and Mexico host the tournament.
A joint bid from Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay is expected for the 2030 competition, while Spain, Morocco and Portugal are also considering a joint bid.
