HOSTING A FIFA WORLD CUP IS POSSIBLE: WORAWI

“We have about nine years if we are to bid to host the 2026 World Cup,” said Worawi.

For the moment, FIFA are in the process of selecting the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 finals with the winners of both editions to be announced in December this year.

Brazil will be hosts for the 2014 finals.

At a seminar organised by the Thai Senate this week, Worawi said the government must give their full support and that he has a ‘master plan’ if Thailand are to win the right to host the FIFA World Cup.

He said that there are about 10 cities which could be World Cup venues -Bangkok, Thon Buri, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Suphan Buri.

To organise the World Cup, a country must have at least 10 stadiums with the main venue having a capacity of at least 80,000 while nine others with at least 40,000 seats.

At the moment, Thailand do not have an 80,000-seater stadium with only the Rajamangala Stadium – with a capacity of 50,000-seat – able to be a World Cup venue.

Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa said the government is serious about bringing the FIFA World Cup to Thailand and that the cabinet has given the nod for the country to bid for the tournament.

“It may be a dream at the moment but we have to make the dream come true,” said Chumpol.

“If we fail to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, then we have to bid again for the 2030 and the 2034 finals and so on. If we are not successful, at least we will get a foundation for Thai sports to go the right direction.”