(Kuala Lumpur, 20th) Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia hopes to one day host the world's largest football event—the FIFA World Cup.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said he looks forward to the day when the Malaysia national football team can appear on the World Cup stage, representing Southeast Asia in this world-class event.
"If God wills, we hope that one day Malaysia will become a host country for the World Cup."
"Hopefully by then, the Malaysian team can be one of the teams competing in the World Cup, representing Southeast Asia."
He made these remarks in the early hours of Monday while attending a giant screen World Cup final viewing event held at Bangi Square 2.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that according to the latest FIFA World Rankings, the Malaysia national football team (Harimau Malaya) is currently ranked 136th, having moved up two spots from its previous 138th position.
Data shows that Malaysia currently has 1086.22 points and continues to rise in the international rankings.
On that day, hundreds of football fans gathered at Bangi Square 2 to watch the 2026 World Cup final—defending champion Argentina versus Spain—on a giant screen.