BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has been included in a proposed Asian joint bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2046, with Japan leading a plan involving seven nations from East and Southeast Asia.
The Japan Football Association (JFA) is preparing a proposal for a joint hosting bid featuring three East Asian countries — Japan, South Korea and China — along with four Southeast Asian nations — Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The proposed group was selected based on stadium readiness and existing football infrastructure capable of meeting FIFA requirements for a major international tournament.
Thailand’s Rajamangala National Stadium, which can accommodate around 70,000 spectators, is among the key venues considered in the proposal. Other potential venues include Malaysia’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which can host nearly 90,000 fans, Indonesia’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Jakarta International Stadium, both with capacities exceeding 80,000, and Singapore National Stadium, which can hold around 55,000 spectators.
The proposed bid highlights growing cooperation between East and Southeast Asian countries in developing football infrastructure and hosting global sporting events. However, Vietnam has not been included in the current proposal, with reports citing concerns over stadium infrastructure and readiness. The country’s My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi has a capacity of just over 40,000 seats and has faced criticism in recent years over its ageing facilities and condition. Hosting the 2046 FIFA World Cup would require extensive infrastructure, transport systems and accommodation capacity due to the tournament’s expanded format. The 2026 World Cup will introduce a 48-team format for the first time, increasing the demands placed on host nations, while future editions could potentially involve even more teams.
The selection process for the 2046 FIFA World Cup host is expected to begin around 2031. The Asian countries involved would need to submit a formal proposal and compete against other potential bidders before FIFA makes its final decision. For Thailand, inclusion in the proposed bid represents another opportunity to showcase Rajamangala Stadium and strengthen the country’s position as a regional sports and tourism hub.
