FIFA announced on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, emphasizing the Gulf kingdom’s increasing influence in global sports despite ongoing criticism of its human rights record.
Simultaneously, a virtual Congress of Fifa confirmed that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will co-host the 2030 World Cup, which will also feature three matches in South America.
The Saudi bid was approved unanimously during the meeting of Fifa’s 211 national member associations, with no competing offers.
“This is a proud day, a day of celebration, and we invite the entire world to Saudi Arabia,” stated Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal al Saud, the Saudi Minister of Sports. “We aim to present an extraordinary version of the World Cup in our kingdom.”
However, rights organizations immediately condemned the decision, arguing that bringing the tournament to Saudi Arabia endangers the lives of construction workers and “marks a moment of great danger.”
Fifa applied its principle of rotating the World Cup among continents, which limited bids for 2034 to Asia or Oceania. The unprecedented arrangement for the 2030 tournament will involve three continental confederations across Europe, Africa, and South America, while the upcoming 2026 World Cup will be hosted in North America with a record 48 teams participating.
Controversially, Fifa provided potential bidders with barely a month to submit their proposals last year, leading Australia and Indonesia to withdraw their interest and leaving Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, facilitating the return of the World Cup to the Gulf region shortly after Qatar hosted it in 2022.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, has strategically used sports to enhance the country’s global image, facing accusations of “sportswashing” to divert attention from Riyadh’s human rights issues.
The awarding of the World Cup to Saudi Arabia is expected to reignite discussions on human rights, similar to the situation preceding the 2022 tournament. “We are inclusive and non-discriminatory, striving for a positive social impact,” said Fifa President Gianni Infantino in his closing statements. “We are fully aware of critics and concerns, and I trust our hosts to address any outstanding issues to deliver a World Cup that meets expectations.” He further asserted that “social improvements and positive human rights impacts” are essential responsibilities for hosting the World Cup.
Rights advocates highlight ongoing mass executions in Saudi Arabia, allegations of torture, restrictions on women, and severe limits on free expression. Amnesty International, along with 20 other organizations, stated that Fifa’s decision to award the tournament to Saudi Arabia, “despite clear and significant risks to residents, migrant workers, and visiting fans, marks a moment of great danger.” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, noted that “there is clear evidence that workers will be exploited and potentially die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, yet Fifa is opting to move forward regardless.”
The Football Association of England reported receiving assurances from Saudi Arabia that LGBTQ fans would be “safe and welcome” during the tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will also be significant as it marks the centenary of the first World Cup held in Uruguay, with the joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal also allowing South America to host one game, alongside Argentina and Paraguay.
Fifa confirmed over a year ago that the joint bid led by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal was the only candidature remaining, as others fell through. Four South American countries initially launched a joint bid in 2019, believing the centenary World Cup should occur entirely on the continent where it began.
Morocco, which replaced Ukraine as a partner for Spain and Portugal, will become the second African nation to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010. Possible venues for the July 21 final include the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, and the planned Hassan II stadium, which will be built between Casablanca and Rabat with a capacity of 115,000.
