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The United Kingdom and Ireland have moved towards filing a joint-bid to host the 2030 World Cup, with the UK government pledging £2.8 million in support of the project.

FIFA's bidding process doesn't officially start until 2022, but already a number of other regions like Spain and Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have expressed interest in hosting the tournament.

UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, speaking to the Sun said that a World Cup in the UK and Ireland would be "an absolutely wonderful thing" and pledged £2.8 million toward a potential bid process.

"We are very, very keen to bring football home in 2030," Johnson said. 

"I do think it’s the right place. It’s the home of football, it’s the right time."

The Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Football Association, The FA, the Football Association of Wales and the Scottish FA released a joint statement:

“The football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland are delighted that the UK government has committed to support a prospective five association bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

"We will continue to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid before FIFA formally open the process in 2022

"Staging a FIFA World Cup would provide an incredible opportunity to deliver tangible benefits for our nations. If a decision is made to bid for the event, we look forward to presenting our hosting proposals to FIFA and the wider global football community."