FIFA set to announce Saudi Arabia as 2034 world cup host

FIFA is set to announce Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup, with the 2030 tournament awarded to a joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, featuring matches in South America.  

The official confirmation will take place during a virtual FIFA Congress vote, though the outcomes are certain due to the absence of competing bids for either tournament.

For the 2034 World Cup, FIFA adhered to its rotational hosting policy, limiting bids to Asia or Oceania, as the 2026 edition will be hosted across North America.

However, controversy surrounded the process as FIFA allowed only a short window for bids last year, leading Australia and Indonesia to withdraw their candidacies early.

The 2030 tournament will commemorate the competition’s centenary, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay before moving to Europe and Africa.

That left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, clearing the way for the World Cup to return to the Gulf region so soon after Qatar hosted in 2022.

The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been using sport for some time to amass influence and improve its global image — critics though say he is effectively “sportswashing” by diverting attention from Saudi Arabia’s rights record.

Saudi Arabia already hosts several high-profile events including a Formula One Grand Prix, heavyweight boxing contests, the LIV rival golf circuit funded by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, and the WTA Finals tennis.

Being handed the 2034 World Cup will be a crowning moment, and Saudi will secure hosting rights despite currently only boasting two stadiums with a capacity of 40,000, when 14 are required.

Beyond that logistical challenge, the baking temperatures in the northern hemisphere summer could mean pushing the tournament back to later in the year, as happened in Qatar in 2022.

However, the fact that Ramadan will take place in December that year is an added complication.

Moreover, the awarding of the World Cup to Saudi will make the issue of human rights a major talking point again, just as two years ago.

Rights groups highlight mass executions in Saudi Arabia and allegations of torture, as well as restrictions on women under the conservative country’s male guardianship system. Free expression is severely restricted too.

– Unprecedented bid –

The 2030 tournament will mark a century since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay, and as a result the bid will also see the South American nation handed a game along with Argentina and Paraguay.