Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

The decision did not come without its controversy due to Saudi's past incidents of violation of human rights

Desmond Efe-Khaese

2023-11-01 12:06:25

Image Credits: © (Twitter @Alhilal_EN )

In the exciting world of international football, Saudi Arabia has been selected as the exclusive host for the Men’s 2034 World Cup. This decision came about when no other countries submitted bids before Fifa’s strict deadline. Australia, initially considering a bid, withdrew from the race just hours before the deadline.

Why did Australia pull out of the bid?

James Johnson, chief executive of Football Australia, acknowledged that bidding for the World Cup was not favorable to Australia, citing Saudi Arabia’s formidable bid with abundant resources and a broader commitment to football. The Saudis are also making waves in European football by investing heavily.

With Australia’s decision to pivot its efforts towards hosting the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029, the path was seemingly clear for Saudi Arabia’s bid to shine.

Fifa had set the stage for the 2034 World Cup to be held in Asia or Oceania, with Australia initially seen as the main contender to Saudi Arabia, which had declared its intention to bid shortly after Fifa’s announcement. Now that the deadline has passed, Fifa has officially acknowledged the bids for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino’s message on Instagram emphasized the significance of the World Cup, with its games spanning three editions, five continents, and involving ten different countries. In a world marked by division and conflict, football stands out as a unifying force.

Controversies over the Saudi choice for FIFA 2034

The prospect of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup is not without controversy. The nation has come under scrutiny for its human rights violations, a chilling example being the execution of 81 men in a single day in the previous year. Concerns also revolve around issues such as women’s rights, the criminalization of homosexuality, restrictions on free speech, and the country’s involvement in the Yemen conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s international reputation was severely tarnished by the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and vocal critic of the government. This has led to accusations of “sportswashing,” a strategy where sports events are used to divert attention from long-standing reputation issues.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have called on Fifa to secure clear and binding commitments from Saudi Arabia regarding human rights and other concerns. They stress the importance of ensuring these commitments are in place before the final decisions are made on hosting the tournaments.

When will the 2034 FIFA World Cup hold?

Much like the 2022 Men’s World Cup held in Qatar, the 2034 edition would likely take place in the winter due to extreme heat. However, the emphasis would be on modernizing existing infrastructure rather than constructing new stadiums, potentially making it a more environmentally friendly event.

Saudi Arabia has seen a significant uptick in international recognitions the the last few years. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, underlined the importance of this bid in their passionate journey as a football-loving nation. The same nation that attracted Brazilian superstars such as Talisca and Alex Telles (Al Nassr), Malcom, Michael, and Neymar (Al-Hilal), as well as Roberto Firmino (Al-Alhy). Here’s the full list of Brazilian players in the Saudi Pro League.

Looking ahead to the 2030 edition of the World Cup, the bidding landscape consists of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with additional matches set to take place in the soccer-loving nations of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The official announcement of the host country for this tournament will be made during the Fifa congress in late 2024. Meanwhile, in 2026, the World Cup is scheduled to be held in a North American collaboration between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.