Today, it was confirmed that FFA is in talks with the Indonesian FA about potentially bidding for a co-hosted 2034 World Cup.

The governing body also said the FFA would be interested in discussing their options with  an ASEAN bid (which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Phillippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia and Laos). 

An FFA spokesperson said today: "Football Federation Australia confirms it has held discussions with the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) about the possibility to jointly bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

"An Indonesia-Australia joint bid was also discussed at last week’s ASEAN Football Federation Council Meeting in Laos.

“FFA notes that a joint South East Asian bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup was endorsed at the recently held 34th ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

"FFA welcomes the opportunity to further discuss an ASEAN bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup with fellow Member Associations in the region.”

Taylor Regan knows ASEAN football well.

The Novocastrian made a big-money move from Adelaide United to Malaysian powerhouse Selangor earlier this year.

It was his second stint in ASEAN after he was one of four former A-League Aussies at Malaysian side Negeri Sembilan in 2016.

Taylor Regan (right) and Andrew Nabbout (white shirt) both played in Malaysia in 2016 at Negeri Sembilan

The former Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets favorite says the region’s passion for football and the serious financial investment in the game demonstrates to him an ASEAN World Cup would be a success.

But he had some words of advice for FFA.

“I think for ASEAN countries to bid for the 2034 World Cup shows the region's passion and willingness to invest in the world game,” he told FTBL today.

“The facilities are here already, albeit needing a few upgrades, but I believe it would be a destination that could offer a lot for the football fans of the world.

“ASEAN countries bidding for the World Cup makes sense to me. They have the passion and the financial backing in this region.

“Australia would be an amazing host also, but I think the FFA has an obligation to fix the domestic competition before it invests millions of dollars on a World Cup bid.”

 

One of his three Aussie teammates at Negeri Sembilan, Alex Smith, agreed that ASEAN’s huge passion and immense investment in football would be a perfect combination.

But he too felt Australia’s current issues with governance were a distraction right now. 

“Sadly I think an ASEAN World Cup would be a better spectacle than an Australian one," said Smith. “The support and passion for the game in Southeast Asia are off the charts.

“The money is there and with a successful WC bid it will take off even more. As much as I’d love Australia to host, with the current football climate I don’t think we are ready.

“In saying that 2034 is long enough away to make the necessary improvements.”

Former Sydney FC defender Patrick Flottmann, who plays in Thailand, agreed with Smith and Regan, telling FTBL. 

"I think it’s a great thing they’re looking to bid.

"There are a lot of talented footballers in the ASEAN region and the fan base is crazy.

"I agree with the boys in saying that Australia should focus on getting the second division in place before bidding for the World Cup."