In an announcement by FIFA, it has been confirmed that Saudi Arabia is set to host the men's 2034 World Cup, as they were the only bidder for the tournament. This decision comes after Australia decided not to bid just hours before FIFA's deadline for declarations of interest on Tuesday.
For the 2030 edition, the only bidders are Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with matches also being played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The hosts for both tournaments will be officially confirmed by a FIFA congress in late 2024.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his enthusiasm on Instagram, stating, "Three editions, five continents, and 10 countries involved in staging matches in the tournament – that's making football truly global. As we live in an increasingly divided and aggressive world, we show once again that football, the leading global sport, unites like nothing else."
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Although Australia initially showed interest in hosting the 2034 World Cup, they have chosen to focus their efforts on hosting the Women's Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029, according to Football Australia.
FIFA had previously announced that the 2034 World Cup would be held in Asia or Oceania, making Saudi Arabia the only potential challenger to host the tournament after their bid was announced shortly after FIFA's decision.
Following the deadline, FIFA confirmed the bids for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups and stated that there will be thorough bidding and evaluation processes for these tournaments. FIFA will engage in targeted dialogues with bidders to ensure all bids meet the hosting requirements, focusing on key areas such as infrastructure, services, commercial aspects, sustainability, and human rights.
Yasser Al Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, expressed the nation's commitment to meeting the bid requirements, driven by their passion for the game. He also highlighted their desire to showcase their rich football culture and extend an open invitation to the world.
However, Saudi Arabia's potential hosting of the World Cup is not without controversy. The nation has faced criticism for its human rights violations, women's rights abuses, restriction of free speech, and involvement in the war in Yemen. The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 also damaged Saudi Arabia's international standing.
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Human rights campaigners have accused the Saudi government of using sports events like the World Cup to distract from these reputation issues, a practice known as 'sportswashing.' Amnesty International and other organizations have urged FIFA to secure clear and binding commitments from Saudi Arabia regarding human rights before final decisions on hosting are made.
It is important to note that Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup also drew criticism due to concerns about its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights records, and treatment of migrant workers.
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia has been selected as the sole bidder to host the men's 2034 World Cup. While there are concerns about their human rights record and other issues, FIFA will engage in a thorough evaluation process and has been urged to secure clear commitments regarding human rights from the host country.
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