India to host FIFA World Cup 2034? AIFF considering partnership with Saudi Arabia for direct qualification

There seems to be an outside chance that the FIFA World Cup 2034 could come to India. The AIFF President, Kalyan Chaubey, has reportedly held discussions with Saudi Arabia over India hosting some of the matches of the 2034 World Cup, of which there are 108, since the tournament will be expanding to 48 teams in due course. 

FIFA accepted Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 edition, since no other country turned in an offer. As a result, they have been granted exclusive access to hosting rights. And if India are selected as co-hosts, then they might qualify directly as well. 

FIFA World Cup 2034: Will India host alongside Saudi Arabia? 

India’s long-standing ambition to qualify for the FIFA World Cup could be realised if they host the 2034 edition alongside Saudi Arabia. But, there is a major stumbling block that they might have to consider. 

FIFA’s rules dictate that any co-hosts must register alongside the original bid before it is approved, not after. As a result, there is a slim chance that the governing body of football will entertain the AIFF’s request to partner up with Saudi Arabia now for the FIFA World Cup 2034.

However, one can never say never in football and it could still happen if they can convince FIFA by some means. The likelihood of it being accepted, though, is slim, in spite of the country hosting the U-17 World Cup a few years ago.