Burnham brands FIFA's UK World Cup drought as 'insane'

Andy Burnham told the Away Days podcast that it is “insane” the United Kingdom has hosted only one World Cup since 1966, and he questioned whether European and global authorities are deliberately working against the home nations, a criticism aimed squarely at FIFA.

Burnham accused FIFA and UEFA of conspiring to keep the tournament away, echoing the Prime Minister’s question about whether the organisations have “something against us”. Host Ellis Platten agreed, calling the fact that the UK has hosted only one World Cup “insane”.

He recalled his role as culture, media and sport secretary in England’s 2010 bid for the 2018 World Cup, a campaign that ultimately awarded the tournament to Russia. The bid secured just two votes from the 22‑member FIFA executive committee amid bribery allegations.

The fallout from that bid and the 2022 Qatar World Cup helped unseat former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Current president Gianni Infantino now faces criticism for proposals to sell World Cup shares to private investors.

Burnham repeated his earlier comment: “It makes you wonder whether the authorities at the European and global level have something against us,” and added that some football practices have failed to ensure even‑handed decision‑making. He emphasized the need for transparent and fair allocation processes.

The United Kingdom has hosted men’s European Championship matches twice and will host fixtures of the Euro 2028 tournament in the UK and Ireland. It is also set to host the women’s World Cup in 2035 after staging the 2005 and 2022 women’s European Championships, the latter delivering England’s first women’s Euro title on home soil.

Since entering Downing Street, Burnham has called for Infantino to resign, describing him as the “wrong man” to lead FIFA after the bungled attempt to sell World Cup stakes. He told journalists the plan was offensive to many football people worldwide and could not be ignored.

The Independent produced the interview, noting that Burnham’s demand for Infantino’s removal leaves FIFA’s future governance unresolved. The outlet also highlighted the need for reporters on the ground at this critical moment in US history.