Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts for 2034 FIFA World Cup; FIFA approves 2030 version hosts too

FIFA on Wednesday confirmed sole bidder Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 males’s World Cup. The affirmation got here in a digital assembly of greater than 200 FIFA member federations hosted by President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday. The governing physique of soccer additionally formally authorized the one candidate to host the 2030 World Cup.

Spain, Portuga, and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation venture, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay every getting one of many 104 video games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay internet hosting the primary World Cup in 1930.

“We’re bringing soccer to extra international locations and the variety of groups has not diluted the standard. It really enhanced the chance,” Infantino stated concerning the 2030 World Cup.

“What higher technique to rejoice the a hundredth anniversary in 2030 than to have the World Cup in six international locations, in three continents, with 48 groups and 104 epic matches. The world will stand nonetheless and can rejoice the 100 years of the World Cup.

“Congratulations to all of the bidders for placing up an ideal file, however I want to placed on file my huge, huge thanks to the six confederation presidents and to their groups,” he added.

What’s the criticism in opposition to the bids?

The choice completes a largely opaque 15-month bid course of which FIFA president Infantino helped steer towards Saudi Arabia with out a rival candidate, with out taking questions, and which human rights teams warn will put the lives of migrant staff in danger.

FIFA and Saudi officers say internet hosting the 2034 match can speed up change, together with extra freedoms and rights for ladies.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ushered in a brand new period for our nation, guiding our individuals’s goals and aspirations.#WelcomeToSaudi34 pic.twitter.com/HhJ85xMDCU

— Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034™️ (@Saudi2034) December 11, 2024

On Tuesday, the Norwegian Soccer Federation (NFF) stated it will vote in opposition to the awarding of internet hosting rights by acclamation and criticised FIFA’s bidding course of, saying it was “flawed and inconsistent”.

Amnesty Worldwide and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) final month urged FIFA to halt the method to select Saudi Arabia as hosts until it broadcasts main reforms earlier than the vote.

The Kingdom has invested closely in sport over the previous couple of years, though critics, together with ladies’s rights teams and members of the LGBTQ neighborhood, allege it’s utilizing its Public Funding Fund to sportswash its human rights file.

Following the affirmation of Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 World Cup, 21 organizations together with the Amnesty, Saudi diaspora human rights organizations, migrant staff’ teams from Nepal and Kenya and worldwide commerce unions, revealed a joint assertion condemning the transfer.

“FIFA’s reckless choice to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia with out making certain enough human rights protections are in place will put many lives in danger,” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty Worldwide’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, stated within the assertion on Wednesday.

The nation denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its nationwide safety by its legal guidelines.

Saudi Arabia has additionally by no means beforehand hosted a match of this magnitude, and should assemble eight stadiums that will likely be used for the occasion.

2030 bid additionally faces warmth

The choice to host the 2030 World Cup throughout three continents has additionally come underneath criticism. Local weather activists have slammed FIFA for an association that can result in elevated emissions from the additional journey required.

FIFA has stated it’s going to take measures to “mitigate the environmental influence”.

With company inputs