Why an Australia–Indonesia–New Zealand FIFA World Cup Would Be Exactly What Football Needs

Photo: Getty Images

Rumours are beginning to circulate that Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand could explore a joint bid for the 2042 FIFA World Cup.

At this stage, there is no confirmed or official bid. However, the idea isn't coming from nowhere. Australia and Indonesia previously held discussions over a joint bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup before Australia ultimately withdrew, while New Zealand has also explored opportunities to be part of future World Cup hosting arrangements following the success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Reports have also noted that a future Australia–Indonesia–New Zealand partnership has been discussed as a long-term possibility rather than an immediate proposal.

If those conversations eventually become reality, FIFA should seriously consider saying yes.

The World Cup isn't simply about crowning the world's best team anymore. It has become football's greatest development tool with the United States, Canada and Mexico are proving exactly why this is the case.

Across North America, football has never had more attention. Stadiums are full, television audiences continue to grow, grassroots participation is increasing and an entire generation of young players is growing up with the biggest tournament in the world taking place in their own backyard.

Hosting changes countries, and influences the culture. The same could happen across Asia and Oceania, but on an even larger scale.

A joint bid between Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand would unite almost 320 million people.

Indonesia: around 285 million
Australia: around 27 million
New Zealand: around 5 million

Indonesia alone is the fourth most populous country on Earth, and in recent years have turned to football and are one of the largest football supporting nations on Earth.

Liga 1 crowds are among the strongest in Asia, while the national team's support is extraordinary. The country has enormous potential that has never truly been unlocked on the global stage.

Australia continues to invest heavily in football infrastructure following the Women's World Cup, while New Zealand has proven it can successfully co-host major FIFA tournaments.

Together, the three countries would offer world-class stadiums, modern transport, diverse tourism opportunities and an opportunity to introduce football to millions of new fans, spreading football culture into the Asia-Pacific region with so many untapped potential fans.

This bid would think bigger than just three countries, It's Asia in particular.

The Asian Football Confederation represents countries containing well over four billion people, more than half of the world's population.

While Asia has produced footballing giants like Japan, South Korea, Iran and increasingly Uzbekistan and Indonesia, much of the continent still hasn't reached its potential in world football.

Countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many others account for well over two billion people, yet collectively contribute very little to elite international football.

That isn't because football can't succeed there, it's because inspiration matters, and implementing the seeds of a footballing culture matters.

A World Cup centred around Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand would bring elite football directly into one of the fastest-growing sporting markets on Earth.

Just as USA 2026 is inspiring millions of children to choose football over other sports, a 2042 tournament could inspire tens of millions across Asia to dream of representing their countries.

The long-term impact could reshape international football for decades, with Indonesia's rise shows what's possible with proper investment and exposure.

Only a few years ago, they were rarely mentioned among Asia's improving football nations.

Now they are attracting overseas-based talent, investing heavily in youth development and drawing some of the loudest crowds in international football. Hosting the World Cup would accelerate that progress dramatically.

Every World Cup host benefits from investment in facilities, coaching, academies and grassroots football.

Indonesia's ceiling is enormous simply because of its population size, and their newfound passion for the world game.

Imagine what could happen if millions more children began taking football seriously after seeing the world's biggest tournament on home soil.

Australia is ready. Australia has already shown it can deliver world-class sporting events with examples of Sydney 2000, the Asian Cup in 2015, and the Women's World Cup co-hosted with New Zealand.

Football infrastructure continues to improve, and stadiums across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide are capable of hosting major FIFA matches with relatively limited additional investment.

Australia also brings organisational experience that would help deliver a seamless tournament. New Zealand deserves another chance being the other host nation during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Packed stadiums, excellent organisation, friendly host cities and outstanding scenery. They offer what international fans expect.

A men's World Cup would finally give Oceania meaningful representation as a host after decades of waiting.

Football belongs everywhere, it's called the world game, but with the untapped Asian market still there, football can go places nobody could ever dream of.

One criticism of recent World Cup hosting is that the tournament often returns to already-developed football nations, and that certainly has benefits and makes sense.

But if FIFA truly wants football to become the world's game, it must continue expanding into emerging markets.

Hosting is one of the fastest ways to grow participation. Youth registrations increase, government investment increases, private investment follows, media coverage explodes, and the sport becomes part of everyday culture.

That's exactly what FIFA wants, Africa should also be next in line next to the Asia-Pacific region.

While an Australia–Indonesia–New Zealand World Cup would be a fantastic choice, another continent also deserves serious consideration.

Africa. This tournament has shown exactly why.

Nine of Africa's ten representatives reached the knockout stages, an extraordinary achievement that underlines how much the continent has improved, and how much potential there is in Africa.

African football is no longer simply producing talented individuals; It is producing organised, tactically sophisticated national teams capable of competing with anyone.

Morocco's run in 2022 changed perceptions, and are now the 6th overall best team in the FIFA rankings. This World Cup has reinforced that progress.

Yet Africa has hosted just one FIFA World Cup, which was South Africa 2010 and remains one of the most iconic tournaments in football history.

The atmosphere, the colours, the passion. South Africa showed why Africa is ready to host more World Cup, and can boom football in the region.

Another African World Cup would reward decades of football development while inspiring hundreds of millions more young players across one of the world's youngest continents.

Football's future won't be decided in countries where the sport is already number one, it will be decided in countries where football is competing for attention.

That is why a future Australia–Indonesia–New Zealand World Cup makes so much sense.

It would unite three confederations, connect hundreds of millions of people, strengthen football across Asia and Oceania and continue FIFA's mission of making the game truly global.

And if that bid doesn't happen? Then Africa should be next.

Because the future of football lies not in repeating the past, but in inspiring the next generation.