[Watch] “One Day, Malaysia Will Host The World Cup,” Says Ahmad Zahid

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The Deputy Prime Minister made the declaration early this morning at Bangi Square 2, where hundreds of football fans had gathered for a dawn screening of the Argentina-Spain final.

Standing in front of a giant screen, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia’s ambition was not just to host the tournament — he wanted to see a Malaysian team compete in it as a Southeast Asian representative.

Insya-Allah, one day we aspire to make Malaysia a World Cup host. Hopefully, by then, the Malaysian team will be one of the teams representing Southeast Asia.

It was an optimistic morning.

The Numbers Tell a Different Story

Malaysia’s national team, the Harimau Malaya, currently sits at 136th in the FIFA world rankings — two places up from its previous position of 138th.

What the morning’s celebrations did not dwell on: Malaysia’s football association is emerging from one of the most serious governance scandals in its history.

In September 2025, FIFA found that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had used doctored birth certificates to illegally naturalise seven foreign-born players.

The penalties were severe — a USD 438,000 fine, a 12-month ban on the affected players, and the voiding of international match results.

The fallout was swift.

The entire FAM executive committee resigned.

FIFA’s rules on player eligibility exist precisely to prevent member associations from manufacturing competitive advantages through fraudulent documentation. Malaysia’s association was found to have done exactly that.

The Gap Between the Dream and the Ranking

World Cup hosting bids are typically mounted by nations with established football infrastructure, strong FIFA standing, and — critically — a clean governance record.

Malaysia’s ranking of 136th places it below Mozambique, Tajikistan, and Antigua and Barbuda in the current FIFA table.

Ahmad Zahid did not set a timeline for the hosting bid; his remarks were framed as a long-term aspiration rather than a formal proposal.

The football legends on the Borak Bola panel — Zainal Abidin Hassan, Mohd Farizal Marlias, and Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak — spoke about the game.

The crowd cheered the final; by any measure, it was a successful community event.

The ranking is still 136.

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[Watch] “One Day, Malaysia Will Host The World Cup,” Says Ahmad Zahid
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