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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sp...World-Cup.html

Saudi Arabia are expected to spearhead a bid to host the 2030 World Cup
An announcement of the bid could reportedly come in the next few weeks
European leagues would likely be against another disruptive winter tournament
A bid would be the latest move by Saudi Arabia to draw in major sporting events

Saudi Arabia are reportedly set to announce a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Greece and Egypt that would see the tournament once again take place in the winter.

This year's tournament in Qatar will take place in November and December for the first time ever and it is understood should the three-nation bid be successful it will also see a competition staged in the middle of the European domestic season once more due to the high June/July temperatures in the region at that time of year.

The report according to The Times suggests an announcement for the bid is imminent following talks at senior government levels.

It adds that Saudi Arabia would be the lead partner and at least contribute to the infrastructure costs needed by its neighbouring hosts, with the confirmation set to be announced in the next few weeks.

The Premier League among other European leagues are likely to oppose another tournament disrupting their campaign should a bid be announced, with this year's competition getting underway on November 20.

Bidding for the 2030 is expected to be highly competitive, with the UK and Ireland having already abandoned such a project earlier this year.

Europe's lead bid backed by UEFA is expected to come from a joint Spain-Portugal tournament, but the three-pronged Saudi bid is expected to draw support from Asia and Africa and maybe some other European countries.

South America are also expected to launch a bid - with the tournament coming 100 years after the first World Cup which took place in Uruguay and was won by the home nation.

Sportsmail contacted FIFA on the potential Saudi Arabia bid but they declined to comment.

It appears to be the latest move by Saudi Arabia as part of a large scale programme to bring major sporting events to the Gulf state.

The nation launched the controversial LIV Golf breakaway series as well as stage its first two Formula One grands prix in recent years.

It also staged the boxing rematch between Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk last month where FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the bout along with Mohammed Bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince.

The Times added that Infantino has held meetings with leaders and officials from all three countries in recent weeks.

However, FIFA insist the president would not support any particular bid, while saying more bids would always be better.

Two days after the August 20 AJ/Usyk bout, Infantino held talks with the Greek FA 'to discuss Greek football in general and continued cooperation between the two organisations' following talks in July last year.

Egyptian reports last month stated that the country’s sports minister Ashraf Sobhi held a meeting with his Saudi and Greek counterparts over the potential bid.

According to the paper, Sobhi discussed with his Saudi counterpart, Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, key details in relation to sports. 'We seek to organise the FIFA World Cup and we are studying the idea of submitting an application to host it in 2030.'

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