FIFA has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s World Cup, marking a monumental moment in the kingdom’s sporting journey. The decision was confirmed during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting, conducted via video link, where all 211 member associations participated in two key votes.
The first vote ratified Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as the joint hosts of the 2030 tournament, with three matches to be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay as a nod to the World Cup’s centenary. The second vote confirmed Saudi Arabia as the sole host for 2034.
Unanimous Support Amid Controversy
Votes for both tournaments were conducted by acclamation, with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom noting that all member associations had effectively cast their votes ahead of the congress.
The English Football Association (FA) expressed its support for Saudi Arabia’s bid, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. “Our focus is on ensuring that all our fans can attend and enjoy tournaments,” the FA stated, adding that both the 2030 and 2034 bids met FIFA’s technical criteria.
However, not all nations were aligned. Norway abstained, citing “concerns regarding the current FIFA World Cup bidding process.” Meanwhile, Switzerland’s football association endorsed the Saudi bid but urged FIFA and the International Labour Organization to monitor human rights issues.
Denmark’s Football Union (DBU) echoed similar sentiments, with chairman Jesper Moller commenting, “We would have liked to see more bids for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, and we are critical of the overall process.”
Saudi Arabia’s Rising Role in Global Sports
The kingdom’s selection has sparked renewed debates over “sportswashing”—a term critics use to describe efforts to enhance a nation’s global image through sports investments, particularly in light of human rights concerns.
Saudi Arabia has already invested heavily in sports, hosting major boxing bouts, Formula One races, and purchasing high-profile football clubs. Of the 15 stadiums earmarked for the 2034 World Cup, only four have been built so far, signaling significant development in the years ahead.
While questions around human rights and environmental impact remain, FIFA has highlighted the kingdom’s growing role in global sports. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the world’s biggest football event, the focus will be on balancing innovation, inclusivity, and accountability.
