World Cup 2034: Football Association yet to decide whether it will officially endorse Saudi bid

The Football Association is still to decide whether it will officially endorse Saudi Arabia’s 2034 men’s World Cup bid at next week’s virtual Fifa Congress.

Insiders have told the BBC that discussions involving the FA’s board remain ongoing.

It has been suggested that rather than a traditional vote, ratification might instead be confirmed by acclamation – with federations in favour asked to show their support by applauding.

However, Fifa is yet to confirm this, and FA officials have sought clarification on the process.

On Friday, the DFB – Germany’s national football association – announced it would vote in favour of both the Saudi Arabia bid and a multi-nation bid for the 2030 event.

The BBC has learned that FA officials are mindful of concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

However, some are also wary of suggestions of hypocrisy if the body declines to endorse the tournament, but then participates in it.

Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder for the 2034 event, while the 2030 World Cup is set to be awarded to unopposed co-hosts Spain, Morocco and Portugal, with early matches also being played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

The ratification process has been combined so the 2030 and 2034 hosts will be decided jointly.

It would appear, therefore, that if federations oppose one bid, they would have to support neither, with no separate acclamation for each of the potential hosts.