After Australia withdraws, Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup in 2034.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – After Australia stated it will not launch a bid for soccer’s global championship on Tuesday’s deadline day, Saudi Arabia was left as a shoo-in to host the 2034 World Cup.

FIFA has requested offers for the event from Asia and Oceania by Oct. 31.

Football Australia (FA) CEO James Johnson previously stated that the country was “exploring the possibility” of 2034, but the governing body announced on Tuesday that it will instead focus on bids for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup.

Following Australia’s decision not to go with 2034, Saudi Arabia is the only confirmed bidder. Saudi Arabia revealed its intention to compete just minutes after soccer’s global governing body asked for proposals from Asia and Oceania on October 4.

“The entire Asian football family” would back the Saudi proposal, according to the president of the Asian Football Confederation, the continental governing body of the sport to which Australia belongs.

Following FIFA’s invitation, Indonesia said a week later that it was in talks with Australia and Malaysia and Singapore on a potential combined candidacy. A week after that, Indonesia announced its support for Saudi Arabia’s bid.

Although it has never held a men’s World Cup, Australia successfully hosted the Women’s World Cup this year.

“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 Football Association stated.

“Achieving this …would represent a truly golden decade for Australian football.”

FIFA granted Morocco, Portugal, and Spain the 2030 World Cup, as well as World Cup centennial games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.