Scotland’s successful staging of COP26 should be used to power ahead the UK wide bid to host 2030 World Cup, the Our Scottish Future campaign says today.
Set up to back fresh ideas for cooperation across the UK, OSF is calling on the four governments of the UK to “put rocket-boosters” under the attempt to football’s biggest tournament.
It follows the commitment by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to invest £11m in a World Cup feasibility study in his November budget.
Today, Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray offers his backing, saying that a successful bid would mean that “finally football can come to its true home – Scotland.”
Under the proposals, the four Home Nations plus the Republic of Ireland would come together to host the 2030 tournament, with matches being staged across the British Isles.
It is hoped that a successful bid would lead to the redevelopment of Hampden park which, along with Murrayfield, would be a potential venue for games held in Scotland.
Our Scottish Future’s campaigns director Eddie Barnes today says that the UK Government should use the COP26 event as evidence that all parts of the UK have the capacity and expertise to stage major global events.
He said: “The funding for a World Cup feasibility study by the Chancellor was a clear sign of our commitment in a joint World Cup bid. All four governments of the UK, plus Ireland, should show a united front in 2022 by giving their full backing to the bid too, and put rocket boosters under our plans.”
“A unique British Isles bid, bringing together five football associations, would be a model for the rest of the world to follow.”
“COP showed we have what it takes to host the Cup. The success of Glasgow in 2021 can be leveraged as evidence that Scotland and all parts of the UK can put on the greatest World Cup ever in 2030.”
Mr Murray said: “A successful home nations bid for the 2030 World Cup would be the biggest boost to Scottish football since the penalty shoot-out that sent us to Euro 2020.”
“During the Euros, both Hampden and Wembley played an important role in hosting some of the best matches of the tournament.
“Although it wasn’t perfect, COP26 showed that Glasgow, Scotland and UK can host the world.
“The Scottish and UK Governments should work together so that we can realise the dream of hosting the World Cup.
“And then finally, football can come to its true home – Scotland.”
