The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland are taking into consideration a proposal to stage the FIFA 2030 World Cup in the UK and Ireland.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The decision on whether to bid is for the football associations to make.
“If they decide to go forward, they can count on this government's full support.”
The football associations announced this in a statement on Friday confirming the five national governing bodies are “in discussions about the feasibility of bidding to be the European candidate” to host the event.
The UK was the 1996 European Championship was the last major men's football tournament played in the UK.
Wembley will host seven games – including the final and semi-finals – of Euro 2020, and the FA has made a bid to host the European Women's Championship in 2021.
England failed with a bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which Russia eventually hosted.
England felt upset by that bidding process but it is thought the FA has been encouraged by the greater transparency around the latest vote for the 2026 World Cup, which was won jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico bid.
Nevertheless, there is expected to be a strong joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as 2030 marks the 100-year anniversary of the first World Cup in Uruguay.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
