FIFA chief Victor Montagliani backs UK to host first men's World Cup since 1966

The United Kingdom has been urged to bid to host the FIFA men's World Cup by Victor Montagliani, the governing body's vice-president, who criticised how the previous "ridiculous" processes worked in giving the event to Russia and Qatar.

A men's World Cup hasn't been played in England since 1966, when the likes of Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst led the Three Lions to victory, but the UK hasn't bid to host the tournament since the controversial 2010 vote, where it was alleged FIFA members were bribed to choose Russia and Qatar.

Montagliani told The Times: "I can't see why, not just England but the United Kingdom shouldn't be hosting the World Cup. I think it would be a fantastic World Cup and I think they should seriously think of putting their foot forward to host. We all know what the game means in the UK and I think it's time.

"I support what we have done in recent history, I think it's the only way. Now it shouldn't be the FIFA president's decision alone, he has a board, he has a council.

"But I think the old way we used to do it where people just waste their money and then all these shenanigans happen. That's ridiculous. Let's get away from that.

"Let's become a proper business. Let's have an event management strategy so that we're properly rotating it, everybody gets a crack at it.

"The reality is that the World Cup generates 80 to 90 per cent of FIFA's income, which then sends 80 per cent of that back to its members for the development of football, and if FIFA doesn't generate that money there is a significant number of the 211 countries that do not have the funds to develop football."

The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the 2030 edition will be played in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and South America. Saudi Arabia won the rights for the 2034 tournament having run unopposed in the bidding process.

The UK and the Republic of Ireland will host Euro 2028, with games set to be played at stadiums in London, Glasgow, Dublin and Cardiff.