The government says it would back a joint bid to host the 2030 Fifa World Cup in the UK and Ireland.
The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are considering putting forward a proposal to stage the tournament.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said: "The decision on whether to bid is for the football associations to make.
"If they decide to go forward, they can count on this government's full support."
The football associations of England and Wales released statements on Friday confirming the five national governing bodies are "in discussions about the feasibility of bidding to be the European candidate" to host the event.
The last major men's football tournament played in the UK was the 1996 European Championship, which England hosted 30 years after staging its only World Cup.
