Saudi Arabia will be the host nation for the 2034 Men’s World Cup.
This decision came after Australia chose not to bid for the tournament.
Football Australia officially confirmed this choice just hours before the deadline set by Fifa for expressing interest.
Australia’s football governing body explained their decision, stating that they want to focus on hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For the 2030 tournament, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain will be the hosts, with matches also taking place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Fifa had stated that the 2034 World Cup would take place in Asia or Oceania, and Australia was seen as the only potential challenger to Saudi Arabia, which announced its intention to bid soon after Fifa’s decision.
Saudi Arabia’s bid is controversial due to concerns about human rights violations, women’s rights abuses, criminalizing homosexuality, restricting free speech, and its involvement in the war in Yemen.
The country’s international image suffered greatly after the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government.
Human rights activists argue that Saudi Arabia is using sports, a process known as ‘sportswashing,’ to distract from its long-standing reputation issues.
Amnesty International called on Fifa to secure “clear and binding commitments” from Saudi Arabia regarding human rights before finalizing the host selection.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar faced criticism for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights issues, and the treatment of migrant workers.
Fifa had initially planned for Saudi Arabia to sponsor the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but due to backlash, this plan was dropped.
However, Saudi Arabia is eager to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after forming a women’s football team in the previous year.
The 2034 World Cup, like the 2022 men’s tournament, will likely be held in winter to avoid extreme heat.
Modernizing existing infrastructure instead of building new stadiums could make it more environmentally friendly than Qatar’s approach.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired Newcastle United in 2021, and this takeover had positive experiences, signaling the potential for a well-organized World Cup.
Football Australia’s CEO, James Johnson, acknowledged the strength of Saudi Arabia’s bid, citing their significant resources and investments in football.
Saudi Arabia has been hosting major sporting events since 2018, including football, Formula 1, golf, and boxing, and will soon hold the Club World Cup.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, sees hosting the World Cup as a natural step for a country passionate about football.
The PIF’s involvement in Saudi football has attracted high-profile players and led to the merger of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Formula 1 held its inaugural race in Saudi Arabia in 2021 as part of a long-term deal, though it faced criticism from some.
Boxing world title fights, such as Anthony Joshua’s matches, have also taken place in Saudi Arabia.
Tennis is set to host a professional event in Saudi Arabia for the first time, and there have been talks about hosting the women’s WTA Finals.
Despite criticism, Saudi Arabia’s leadership remains committed to sports as a way to enhance its international image.
