Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, Thomas Daddy Brima has his association’s support for Saudi Arabia in their bid to host the 2024 World Cup.

FIFA confirmed last week that only countries from Asia and Oceania will be eligible to bid for the flagship event in 11 years’ time, as part of a rotational system of hosts.

In Twitter Post, President Brima states “I am pleased to announce the unreserved support of the SLFASL to the government and the people of Saudi Arabia in their bid to host the 20234 @FIFAcom World Cup.- We firmly stand by you in your quest to host this enviable flagship event of Global football,’

Football’s world governing body also set a tight deadline of October 31 for countries to register their interest, making it difficult for anyone else to receive the Government support they need and come forward.

The World Cup has been long coveted by Saudi Arabia so the Kingdom’s bid was already relatively advanced, with the country announcing last month that it was ending its interest in jointly hosting the 2030 tournament with Egypt and Greece to focus on 2034 instead.

A joint bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco has been named as the sole candidate for 2030 – and will be awarded the tournament if approved by the FIFA Congress in Bangkok next year, something which will almost certainly happen.

It means Saudi Arabia has a seemingly clear path to hosting the 2034 tournament, with FIFA facing criticism for allegedly fast-tracking the process in their favour.

The members of FIFA’s Council previously elected World Cup hosts, but the power was handed to the Congress for the 2026 tournament following the organization’s corruption scandals.