FIFA is set to announce on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, which includes matches in South America, will secure the 2030 tournament. The decisions will be made during a virtual FIFA Congress, where the results are expected to be unanimous, as no other bids are competing for the hosting rights of either tournament.
For the 2034 World Cup, FIFA's rotational policy limited bids to Asia and Oceania, as the 2026 tournament will be held across North America with 48 teams. Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder after Australia and Indonesia withdrew their interest, following a brief submission period last year.
The Gulf region will host the World Cup again just two years after Qatar staged the 2022 event, a decision that has raised concerns about the kingdom's human rights record. Critics accuse Saudi Arabia of using sports to divert attention from its controversial policies.
Saudi Arabia's hosting rights come despite logistical challenges, including a lack of sufficient stadiums, with only two stadiums capable of holding 40,000 spectators, while FIFA requires 14. The intense summer heat in the region may lead to a shift in the tournament's timing, as Qatar's 2022 World Cup was held later in the year.
Furthermore, the timing of Ramadan in December 2034 presents additional complications. The human rights situation, including mass executions and restrictions on women, is expected to become a prominent topic of discussion once again.
Meanwhile, the 2030 World Cup will be a historic event, marking the centenary of the tournament's first edition in Uruguay. The joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal is the only remaining contender for the 2030 tournament, with all other potential bids falling apart.
The proposal includes matches across three continents, with South America hosting three games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. While Ukraine was originally part of the bid, it was later removed, and Morocco joined Spain and Portugal in what is now a unique and unprecedented bid for the tournament.
ADD A COMMENT :