Dublin would be able to host World Cup games at Aviva Stadium and Croke Park.GETTY IMAGES
The "likely" British Isles bid to host the 2030 World Cup "could involve all of Ireland in what would be a five-country campaign," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. No approach has yet been made to the FA of Ireland but it is "an option that is being considered and it would be received favourably across the Irish Channel." Such a move would "solve the problem of Northern Ireland not having a suitable stadium to host a World Cup match," with Dublin already having two venues that could stage games: the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park. An FA spokesperson said that "all options are being considered," with one of them "known to be an all-Ireland involvement." The Republic of Ireland being on board would "bring in FIFA Congress votes from around the globe that would not normally support a Home Nations bid." However, one complication is that even with UEFA receiving 16 places at a 48-team World Cup, "there is no way they will allow five countries to automatically qualify as hosts" (DAILY MAIL, 9/3). In London, Martyn Ziegler reported a "possible disadvantage" is that having Ireland and Britain involved "would mean separate governments and currencies," but given that '26 is being hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, that is "not a big problem." A source said, "We have to decide whether having Ireland on board brings more to the party than bidding without them. ... I think it would be an advantage" (LONDON TIMES, 9/4).
