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Ireland could be part of 2030 World Cup bid | Jonathan Hill


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New FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill believes Dublin could host games at the 2030 World Cup as part of a joint bid with the UK.

He says the Republic of Ireland is considering being part of a "credible" bid alongside the home nations.

"I think it's absolutely credible," Hill said of the possibility of five countries sharing the staging.

"I think the decision to have a joint approach is the right decision. Because we know that the English FA has already had two attempts to host the World Cup since it last did in 1966.

"So I think it needed to change the narrative slightly, and I think, incorporating the other home nations and, in particular, incorporating the FAI into the proposed approach, I think is very sensible.

"I think that will fall well within both UEFA, and within UEFA federations and I think also within FIFA.

"What we will have to do is if the bid moves forward is to is to put our best foot forward but I do think that the combination of first class and world class stadia actually that you have from within the within the five associations, plus obvious depth and knowledge across all five as to how to safely host matches, which is going to be a dynamic given everything that we've seen in relation to Covid.

Hill added that he remains confident that the Aviva Stadium will host four games at this summer's European Championships.

“UEFA wants to see fans in all 12 of the stadia and all 12 of the cities and we are planning on the basis that we will have fans in the Aviva Stadium. That is the current situation and that is the plan.

“It’s fair to say UEFA are pushing forward because of the timetables involved. They have real people who bought real tickets for matches and who bought transport and hotels.

“At some point they need to take decisions in relation to the structure of the tournament. What they would like to see, as we all would, is as many people as possible in the grounds to watch the Euro finals play out."


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