Along with our UK partners my Department has been involved in preliminary work to examine the possibility of bidding to jointly host the FIFA Men's World Cup in Ireland and the UK. A wide range of factors will be examined during this feasibility work prior to any final decision to bid.
The partners involved include the Government of Ireland, UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government, Northern Ireland Executive, UK Sport, the Irish Football Association, Football Association of Ireland, English Football Association, Scottish Football Association, and Football Association of Wales.
FIFA have indicated that the bid process for the 2030 FIFA Men's World Cup will open in 2022, with bids due to be submitted in 2024. Any decision to bid will be made collaboratively, with a formal announcement to follow in due course.