The government has joined the Labour party in offering to support a joint bid from the UK and Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup.

The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are considering whether to put forward an official proposal.

Speaking on the eve of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Theresa May said a future bid would have the government’s full support.

“Following the excitement of this summer’s World Cup, the English FA are working together with the FAs of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland to explore whether there could be a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” the prime minister said.

“The decision on whether to bid is, of course, for the football associations to make. But if they decide to go forward, they can count on this government’s full support.”

Labour welcomed the announcement, with the shadow culture secretary, Tom Watson, pointing out it had backed the proposal in July.

“I’m delighted that the prime minister has followed Labour’s lead and is willing to back a bid,” the deputy Labour leader said.

“This summer’s World Cup and the performance of England inspired the nation. In 2030, it’s time for football to come home.”

England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup ended in humiliation after it received two votes from Fifa’s 22-member executive committee in December 2010.

The procedure has been embroiled in controversy since the 2018 and 2022 tournaments were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively, after widespread corruption was uncovered within the sport’s highest governing body.

A court heard last year that a Fifa official took bribes to back Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid – the first to be held in winter.

The former Fifa president Sepp Blatter is among various prominent figures to have been indicted following suggestions that officials had decided before the vote took place that Russia would host the 2018 World Cup.