The Republic ofย Ireland could yet join the home nations bid to host the 2030 World Cup, with the Irish FA open to 'โdetailed discussions', according toย the Times.
An approach isย yet to be made to the Irish FA, but it is an option that is being considered with several advantages for the UK's proposed bid to host the tournament, as well as the benefits of usingย Aviva Stadium and Croke Park as potential venues.
โThe Timesย quote an English FA spokesperson as commenting:ย โWe are looking at all options.โ
While another source said:ย โWe have to decide whether having Ireland on board brings more to the party than bidding without them...I think it would be an advantage.โ
Last week UEFA President Aleksander Cerefinย suggested a joint bid would be โwiseโ, referring to โthat part of Europeโ rather than the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It is thought that a bid includingย Ireland could help to secureย votes from FIFA membersย that may not usually support the UK, while also solving the problem of including Northern Ireland as part of a UK-only bid.
Add Ireland to the equation and we think it would be awesome! There's nothing wrong with sharing sport across great nations! โฝ๏
โ Sevenoaks Sports (@7oaksSports) August 1, 2018
With FIFA's member nations likely to vote on a hostย before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a fastย solution to this proposition would indeed be beneficial.
Not only are Morocco interested in yet another attempt to hostย โ possibly joining forces with Spain and Portugal โ but a tri-nations bid from South America including Uuruguay, Argentina and Paraguayย has already highlighted 24 potential venues.
That proposal is reportedlyย based around the 100-year celebration of the first World Cup tournament, which was held in and wonย Uruguay.