Prime Minister Burnham Mulls UK Bid for Future Men’s World Cup and Northern Olympics

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, an avid supporter of football, has begun informal discussions about a United Kingdom bid to host a future men’s World Cup, aiming to use the tournament to attract investment, tourism and regeneration beyond London. Speaking at a No 10 North meeting, he said he is consulting the country’s football governing bodies on how a campaign could be organised. Burnham also expressed interest in moving the Olympics to the north of England as a means to boost regional economies.

The next World Cup opportunity is in 2038, followed by 2042 and 2046, though FIFA has not yet opened the bidding process. He previously lamented that the UK has only hosted the tournament once, in 1966, and highlighted the upcoming joint Euro 2028 hosting with Ireland. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for comment.