Oil-rich Kazakhstan is considering a bid to host the 2026 World Cup . The country is already bidding against Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Almaty and is now in discussions over a possible bid for the World Cup four years later . Kazakhstan FA president Yerlan Kozhagapanov said in French newspaper L'Equipe : 'We are discussing this issue with the government of my country to assess what are our chances . Kazakhstan , who play their home games at the Astana Arena , are considering a bid to host the 2026 World Cup . FIFA President Sepp Blatter announces that Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup in 2010 . 'Our country is developing rapidly , our economy is growing , so why not ? We want to organise the winter ( Olympic ) Games in 2022 , and we plan to engage in the race for the organisation of the World Cup 2026 . ' Kazakhstan , which has a population of 17million , is part of the UEFA confederation which may prove a stumbling block for 2026 . Asian confederation countries will be excluded from bidding as Qatar is hosting the 2022 tournament , and it may be that European countries are also excluded as Russia is hosting 2018 . FIFA 's executive committee will decide on the 2026 bidding rules on May 30 , and the 209 associations will vote at the FIFA Congress in May 2017 in Kuala Lumpur . The United States is the early favourite to be named as host nation . Kazakhstan , which has a population of 17million , also plan to host the Winter Olympics in 2022 .
Kazakhstan FA president Yerlan Kozhagapanov confirms plans . Oil-rich nation are bidding against Beijing to host 2022 the 2022 World Cup . Kazakhstan play home games at the Astana Arena .