Australia has withdrawn his bid to host the 2034 Football World Cup. Photo: Photosport
Australia will not bid for the 2034 World Cup after taking "all factors" into consideration, Football Australia said on Tuesday.
The move leaves Saudi Arabia as the likely host for the global showpiece as the only confirmed bidder.
Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after soccer's global governing body called for Asia and Oceania bids on Oct 4.
The president of the Asian Football Confederation, the sport's continental governing body to which Australia belongs, said "the entire Asian football family" would stand united in support of the Saudi bid.
A week after FIFA's invitation, Indonesia said it was in discussions with Australia about a possible joint bid along with Malaysia and Singapore - before saying a week later that it backed Saudi Arabia's bid.
Australia hosted a successful Women's World Cup this year but has never hosted a men's World Cup.
FIFA awarded the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Portugal and Spain, also adding World Cup centenary games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
The president of the Asian Football Confederation, the sport's continental governing body to which Australia belongs, hailed Saudi Arabia's bid and said "the entire Asian football family" would stand united in support of it.
-REUTERS