England preparing bid to host 2030 World Cup

The English Football Association is considering putting England forward as a potential host for the 2030 World Cup.

The last major tournament played in 

England was the 1996 European 

Championship, 30 years after the country 

hosted its only World Cup.

FA chairman Greg Clarke says the 

governing body's board has agreed to 

start 

work to see if a bid is feasible.

"This work will take place during the new 

season and no decision will be made until 

2019," added Clarke.

Wembley is already hosting seven games

 during Euro 2020, and the FA has bid to 

host the European Women's 

Championship in 2021.

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.

Russia were instead announced as hosts 

by Sepp Blatter, the ex-president of world 

governing body Fifa.

England felt aggrieved by that bidding 

process but it is thought the FA has been 

encouraged over 2030 by the greater 

transparency around the recent vote for 

the 2026 World Cup, which was won by a 

joint United States, Canada and Mexico 

bid.

It will now decide whether to bid to 

become the potential candidate from 

Uefa, 

European football's governing body.

Fifa vice-president David Gill said in June 

England should have "great confidence".

However, there is expected to be a strong 

joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay and 

Paraguay, with 2030 marking the 100-year 

anniversary of the first World Cup in 

Uruguay.