UK ‘planning bids to host World Cup and Northern Olympics’ – what we know

• Andy Burnham is exploring plans for the UK to bid for the men's World Cup alongside a campaign to host a Northern Olympics.
• The proposals aim to use major sporting events to drive investment, tourism, and regional regeneration beyond London.
• Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has backed hosting the Olympics in the North of England in the 2040s to support stadium regeneration.
• The earliest available men's World Cup host bid is for 2038, with the UK already scheduled to co-host Euro 2028 and host the women's World Cup in 2035.
• Burnham voiced frustration that the UK has only hosted the men's World Cup once, in 1966, despite inventing the sport.

IN FULL

Andy Burnham ‘plots bid for Britain to host World Cup’ as he eyes tourism boost