Australia won’t bid for 2034 FIFA World Cup; Saudi likely to host
Melbourne, Oct 31: Football Australia on Tuesday said it won’t bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, clearing the way for Saudi Arabia to host the men’s marquee tournament. The chances of Australia hosting the 2034 event appeared unlikely after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) backed the Saudi bid on October 5. Indonesia’s football association initially showed interest in a joint bid with Australia, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore, but that faded when Indonesia instead backed Saudi Arabia. “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a statement. Australia will instead attempt to secure hosting rights for the 2029 Club World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. “We believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and then welcome the greatest teams in world football for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup,” the FA statement said. Australia and New Zealand successfully co-hosted the Women’s World Cup in July and August. Brisbane, Queensland state, is due to become the third Australian city to host the Olympics when it stages the 2032 Summer Games. (AP)
Ajax appoint former player
Van’t Schip as interim coach
The Hague, Oct 31: Dutch football club Ajax unveiled John van’t Schip as interim head coach for the rest of the season. The 59-year-old former player signed a deal until mid-2025, having agreed to continue the second year of his contract as technical manager to make room for a new head coach. Van’t Schip succeeds Maurice Steijn, who was fired last Monday after only four months at the helm due to a string of historic bad results, Xinhua reports. Ajax are currently 18th and last place in the Eredivisie, for the first time in the history of the four-time winner of the European Champions Cup/Champions League. Last Sunday, Ajax lost 5-2 to leaders PSV in Eindhoven. (AP)