It’s a goal for Thailand. FIFA, the world’s football association, has chosen the Thai capital city of Bangkok as the host of it’s the 74th FIFA Congress in 2024, the first time the event will be held in Southeast Asia, and a plum prize for the Kingdom’s meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (MICE) industry.

Earlier in September in New York City, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and praised Thailand's passion for football as well as its readiness to host the FIFA Congress in 2024. Both sides reaffirmed their commitments in enhancing cooperation on football development between FIFA, Thailand and ASEAN countries.

Members of football associations from 211 countries are expected to attend the 74th annual FIFA Congress scheduled for May 17, 2024, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. The agenda will include nominations to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Women’s World Cup 2027, and the position of FIFA president.

By hosting the congress, Thailand is putting itself in position to compete and be considered for hosting a future World Cup, as one of the requirements for a host country is that the country must have previously hosted a FIFA Congress. Thailand is looking to bid to co-host the FIFA World Cup in partnership with ASEAN partners in the future.

Football is the most popular sport in Thailand after local sports such as Muay Thai, or Thai boxing. Although the Kingdom is considered a football powerhouse in Southeast Asia, its national team has never qualified for the World Cup. It reached the final qualifying rounds in 2002 and 2018 but fell just short of making it to the main tournament.

When it comes to hosting major events, however, Thailand is definitely in the big leagues, having held Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits, the Asian Games and other gatherings that draw many countries and require seamless logistics.  Earlier this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) announced the plan to host their 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok in October 2026.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) announced that Thailand has won a total of 23 bids for international conferences over the past year for events that will take place up to 2028.

Photo courtesy of www.thaigov.go.th/news/