What happened?
Saudi Arabia have been announced as hosts of the 2034 World Cup, following an Extraordinary Fifa Congress, the second time the competition has been held in the Middle East in 12 years.
How did it happen?
By “acclamation” – that is, by a collective clapping of hands on a wall of video screens during a bizarre virtual congress of Fifa’s 211 members. Only Norway and Switzerland expressed concern over the bidding process. The FAI said they were making no comment on the matter.
Were there any other contenders?
According to the New York Times, Fifa president Gianni Infantino played a key role in the selection of Saudi Arabia as host. Saudi Arabia originally bid for the 2030 World Cup, but with it hosted by six countries across three continents (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, Morocco), it paved the way for 2034 to only be open to bidders from Asia or Oceania. Fifa unexpectedly speeded up the bidding process, giving only 25 days for interested nations to express their intent to host. Within minutes, Saudi Arabia announced its intentions. Australia were considered the only other rival, but decided against, leaving Saudi Arabia unopposed.
Isn’t it too hot to play there during the summer?
It is indeed, and that means another winter World Cup like it was in Qatar in 2022. It is expected it will take place in January 2034, rather than pre-Christmas like Qatar, due to Ramadan.
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Has the decision been criticised?
Amnesty’s head of labour rights and sport, Steve Cockburn, said the “reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk. At every stage of this bidding process, Fifa has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham.” England’s Football Association said it had received assurances from Saudi Arabia that LGBTQ fans would be “safe and welcome”, despite the fact homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state. Saudi Arabian authorities have always claimed to be in the process of modernising their laws.
[ Fifa is ‘ignoring human rights report’ into Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bidOpens in new window ]
How could Fifa allow the World Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia then?
How could Fifa allow the 1978 World Cup to be in military junta Argentina? Or the 2018 World Cup to be in Putin’s Russia? Or the ... you get the point. National oil company Saudi Aramco is worth an eye-watering €1.75 trillion, which always appeals to Fifa.
Why have Saudi Arabia bid for the World Cup?
The Project 2030 plan announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016 aimed to diversify the Saudi Arabian economy, away from a dependence on oil, with sport a big driver of that. And since then they have had their paws all over the sporting world: Formula One, golf, world heavyweight boxing fights. In soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have been signed for the Saudi Pro League, while the Saudi Public Investment Fund owns Newcastle United in the Premier League. But hosting the World Cup will be seen as their crown jewel.
Are there any redeeming features?
A winter World Cup can brighten the darkest days of the season in this part of the world, with several games per day for football fanatics. The magic of the World Cup is still there once the dust settles: Qatar’s final was the most viewed sporting event of 2022. That’s why it is viewed as such a precious commodity. And unlike Qatar, Saudi Arabia are at least a proud and passionate footballing nation in the Middle East that have qualified for six World Cups, beating eventual champions Argentina in their Group C match in the last tournament.
