Saudi Arabia Confirmed as 2034 FIFA World Cup Host

By DTD- On Dec 12, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has officially been confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The announcement came on Wednesday during a virtual extraordinary Congress, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino shared the decision. Alongside this, the 2030 World Cup will take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional one-off matches held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament’s centenary.

FIFA’s choice to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia marks the second time a Middle Eastern country will host the prestigious tournament, following Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup. The decision comes after a highly competitive bidding process. Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, making it an uncontested choice. The country’s bid received full support from the Asian Football Confederation, especially after Australia and Indonesia withdrew from the race.

This announcement has been met with mixed reactions. While the 2030 World Cup will see matches held across six nations in three continents, creating a global celebration of football’s 100-year history, the plan to host the tournament in such diverse locations has faced criticism. Environmentalists have voiced concerns about the carbon emissions from the extensive travel required for the event. FIFA has pledged to mitigate these impacts, though specifics on these efforts remain unclear.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup has raised significant human rights concerns. Critics argue that hosting the tournament in the kingdom is a form of ‘sportswashing,’ where the country is accused of using major sports events to distract from its human rights record. Amnesty International and other rights organizations have condemned FIFA’s decision, stressing the lack of necessary human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia. They warn that hosting the World Cup without such safeguards could put vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers, at risk.

FIFA, however, has defended its decision, citing the growing opportunities for football to reach a wider audience and emphasizing that the expansion of the tournament with 48 teams will only enhance its quality. The competition is expected to be held during the Northern Hemisphere winter due to Saudi Arabia’s extreme desert climate, mirroring the winter schedule adopted for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Saudi Arabia will need to construct eight new stadiums for the tournament, marking a significant investment in infrastructure. Despite the challenges, the kingdom has already made considerable investments in sports as part of its broader Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and improve its international image.