BANGI, July 20 – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has formally shared a bold sports vision for the nation. He revealed that the government actively aspires to see Malaysia World Cup host duties become reality in the future. Consequently, local football fans have expressed massive excitement across social media platforms.
A Grand Vision For Football
Zahid, who also holds the portfolio of Rural and Regional Development Minister, shared the long-term dream early Monday morning. He spoke directly to hundreds of energetic football enthusiasts gathered at Bangi Square 2. The crowd had assembled for a dawn giant-screen viewing party of the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the dream extends far beyond just building stadiums or managing global crowds. Instead, he wants to see the national team, Harimau Malaya, earn a rightful spot on the pitch. Therefore, the hosting milestone would ideally coincide with the nation playing as a top competitive force.
“God willing, one day we aspire to make Malaysia World Cup host organizers,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. “Hopefully, by then, our national team will be among the active participants proudly representing Southeast Asia.”
Growing On The Global Stage
Furthermore, the bold declaration comes at an encouraging time for domestic sports development. According to the latest official charts issued by FIFA, the national squad has climbed up two places to occupy the 136th position globally. This upward shift follows steady training adjustments and refreshed structural coaching programs implemented over the past year.
Meanwhile, the festive live watch event featured an interactive “Borak Bola” dialogue session. Iconic national football legends, including Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan and Mohd Farizal Marlias, joined the stage to discuss the intense strategies displayed during the tournament. After the dramatic final whistle blew, Zahid concluded his early morning visit by participating in a local community religious program at Surau Al-Hamidiah.
Ultimately, sports analysts note that launching a formal hosting bid requires years of intense logistics planning and heavy fiscal investments. However, creating a clear target acts as a strong motivation for grassroots academies. The Ministry of Youth and Sports plans to keep upgrading local stadium facilities to ensure the country remains fully prepared for future international bids.
