Unfortunately the likelihood of a 64 team World cup will cut us completely out.
Our best and only chance is the 2038 World Cup. We are currently excluded but could seek an exemption if it was still a 48 team World Cup for a joint bid with NZ. They would need to supply at least 3 stadiums - they only have 1 at the moment to show it is at least a partial OFC bid.
That means we would need 13 - a tall task but not impossible. The problem being as it always is would be access.
A 2038 bid is our only shot ever.
To win would need a huge alignment of things to go right.
I've started thinking about this since hearing Popa's interview.
I think we need to appoint John Coates to a Football tsar role.
We need to host a successful 2026 AFC Womens World Cup and probably the AFC Congress at the same time.
During the AFC Congress we need to win the 2032 Mens Asian Cup bid. We are the favourites but only a 30% chance.
Then comes the tricky bits
A bid for the 2038 World Cup would require reliance on a number of things. We really need Spain and France to vote for us for their influence in other confederations. We need to use John Coates IOC/FIFA links. James Johnsons links to Infantino, even King Charles Commonwealth links
Why we could win
Aus/NZ’s Equity Case:
- 2010 OFC Precedent: The 2010 World Cup, intended for OFC (when Australia was a member), went to South Africa (CAF). Aus/NZ’s “Oceania’s turn” narrative resonates with CAF (e.g., Senegal, Mali) and smaller CONCACAF nations (e.g., Jamaica), emphasizing fairness for underrepresented regions.
- US Hosting Frequency: A third US hosting (1994, 2026, 2038) fuels perceptions of Northern bias, especially after 2030’s UEFA-led Spain/Portugal/Morocco bid. This sways CAF (e.g., Zambia) and CONMEBOL (e.g., Paraguay) toward Aus/NZ to balance global hosting.
- 2030 Northern Bias: Morocco’s limited role in 2030 (10-20 of 104 matches) reinforces UEFA dominance, pushing Southern Hemisphere support for Aus/NZ among CAF and CONMEBOL’s smaller nations.
France and Spain’s UEFA Defection:
- France (francophone ties) and Spain (2030 co-host, South American links) shift from US to Aus/NZ, adjusting UEFA’s split from 41-14 to 39-16. Their equity stance sways ~5 CAF votes (francophone/North African, e.g., Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia) and ~3 CONMEBOL votes (e.g., Bolivia), amplifying Aus/NZ’s fairness narrative.
James Johnson’s Influence:
- As CSB Group CEO (Canada, appointed May 2025) and ex-Football Australia CEO (2020–2025), Johnson leverages Commonwealth ties to secure Canada’s vote and ~3 Caribbean CONCACAF votes (e.g., Barbados, Antigua). His FIFA connections (until 2018) and CONCACAF ties (via Montagliani) add ~2 CAF votes, shifting CONCACAF to 28-13 and CAF to 19-35.
John Coates as Football Tsar:
- John Coates AC, former Australian Olympic Committee president (1990–2022) and IOC vice-president (2013–2017, 2020–2024), acts as a key “football tsar.” His government ties (securing Brisbane 2032 Olympics funding) and IOC network (e.g., connections with Thomas Bach and African/Asian delegates) facilitate FIFA lobbying. Coates sways ~4 CAF votes (e.g., Uganda, Kenya via Olympic ties) and ~2 CONCACAF votes (e.g., Caribbean IOC affiliates). His 2011 FIFA reform advocacy enhances Aus/NZ’s credibility, reinforcing the 2032 Olympics’ $8.9B infrastructure legacy.
King Charles III’s Role:
- As monarch of Australia, New Zealand, and head of the Commonwealth (since 2022), King Charles III provides symbolic and diplomatic support for the Aus/NZ bid. His patronage of Commonwealth sports initiatives (e.g., Commonwealth Games) and royal tours (e.g., planned 2026 Australia visit) amplify the bid’s global profile. Charles’ influence strengthens Commonwealth unity, swaying ~2 additional CONCACAF votes (e.g., Bahamas, Belize, via royal and Commonwealth ties) and ~2 CAF votes (e.g., Botswana, Eswatini, via Commonwealth sports networks). His endorsement, alongside Coates’ IOC clout, enhances Aus/NZ’s prestige, reinforcing the 2032 Olympics as a soccer-ready platform and countering US’s revenue narrative with cultural diplomacy.
2031 AFC Asian Cup and 2032 Brisbane Olympics:
- Asian Cup Australia’s bid (decision ~2026) builds on 2015/2023 success, securing AFC’s full 47 votes (e.g., India, China, Indonesia) and showcasing infrastructure readiness..
- Brisbane Olympics (2032): $8.9B investment, including a 55K-seat Brisbane Stadium, provides 10-12 FIFA-ready venues, countering US’s 2026 stadium advantage. Coates’ and Charles’ involvement elevates global appeal, swaying Commonwealth CONCACAF (e.g., Jamaica) and CAF’s smaller nations.
Time Zones and Logistics:
- US Strengths: Evening game slots (8-10 PM Nigeria/Europe, UTC-4), shorter travel (7-9 hours, €500-€1000), and $2B+ revenue potential secure UEFA (39 votes), most CONCACAF (28), and CONMEBOL (7).
- Aus/NZ Advantage: Perth-NZ spread (UTC+8 to +13) offers 1-3 PM Nigeria slots and aligns with AFC (5:30 PM India, 8 PM China). Olympics upgrades mitigate travel concerns (20-24 hours, €1500-€2500), though US retains a logistical edge.
Confederation Dynamics:
- AFC (47 votes): Fully supports Aus/NZ due to regional ties, Asian Cup infrastructure, and commercial potential (3B+ population).
- OFC (11 votes): Backs Aus/NZ for NZ’s co-hosting and 2010 equity precedent.
- CAF (54 votes): Splits 19-35; Nigeria and South Africa favor US for revenue/logistics, but smaller/francophone nations (e.g., Senegal, Zambia) support Aus/NZ for equity, boosted by France/Spain, Johnson, Coates, and Charles’ Commonwealth ties.
- CONCACAF (41 votes): Splits 28-13; Canada and Caribbean nations (e.g., Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas) shift to Aus/NZ via Johnson’s and Charles’ Commonwealth ties, Coates’ IOC networks, and Olympics prestige.
- CONMEBOL (10 votes): Splits 7-3; Spain’s influence sways smaller nations (e.g., Paraguay), but Brazil/Argentina favor US due to 2026/2030 ties.
- UEFA (55 votes): Splits 39-16; Germany/Italy prioritize US time zones/revenue, despite France/Spain’s equity push.
An Aus/NZ’s victory hinges on a powerful equity narrative (2010 precedent, US hosting frequency, 2030 Northern bias), amplified by Johnson’s trans-Pacific lobbying, Coates’ government/IOC influence, and King Charles III’s symbolic Commonwealth leadership. The 2031 Asian Cup and 2032 Olympics provide infrastructure and prestige, outweighing the US’s logistical advantages (evening slots, cheaper travel, revenue). France/Spain’s defection, combined with Johnson, Coates, and Charles’ networks, secures critical CAF and CONCACAF swings.
Caveats:
- Infantino’s 2027 term end would hurt
- Anr AFC exemption denial would blow us out of the water.
- A 64 team world cup bid would blow us out of the water - it will come - just when.
Conclusion: Aus/NZ’s could win 125-93 for a 48-team 2038 World Cup leverages equity, strategic lobbying from Johnson and Coates, and King Charles III’s Commonwealth diplomacy, overcoming US’s logistical and revenue strengths with decisive CAF/CONCACAF support.
There are 211 congress members - 111 wins. Not everything will go right but this will be our only shot ever!!!