FIFA Faces Fierce Pushback Over Saudi Arabia’s 2034 Winter World Cup Plans
Brace yourselves, soccer fans, because FIFA is once again in the hot seat. This time, the global governing body of soccer is locking horns with Europe’s biggest leagues, including the Premier League and LaLiga, over plans to host the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia during the winter months. According to sources speaking to ESPN, FIFA will need a “concrete agreement” from leagues and players to make this mid-season disruption a reality. And let’s just say, that agreement isn’t going to come easy.
On Wednesday, FIFA is expected to officially confirm Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 men’s World Cup. The decision comes after Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder for the tournament. Meanwhile, the 2030 World Cup, a multi-nation extravaganza hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is also set to be rubber-stamped by FIFA. But while the 2030 tournament is already generating buzz, it’s the 2034 edition that’s sparking controversy.
Why a Winter World Cup?
Here’s the deal: FIFA’s evaluation report on Saudi Arabia’s bid highlighted a major issue—climate. With scorching summer temperatures in the Middle East, hosting the tournament during the traditional June-July window is simply not feasible. Instead, the 2034 World Cup would need to take place between October and April, much like the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was held in November and December. While this might make sense weather-wise, it’s a logistical nightmare for Europe’s top leagues.
Let’s not forget the chaos caused by the Qatar World Cup. Major European leagues had to extend their seasons and shut down for at least a month to accommodate the winter schedule. Now, imagine that disruption on an even larger scale. Sources told ESPN that a 48-team tournament in 2034 would feature 104 games over five weeks, potentially disrupting league seasons for up to seven weeks. Players could be required to leave their clubs for as long as 49 days. That’s a massive ask, and it’s no wonder the leagues and players’ unions are pushing back.
Legal Battles Brewing
The tension between FIFA and Europe’s soccer powerhouses isn’t just about scheduling headaches—it’s also a legal issue. In October, FIFPRO Europe (the players’ union) and European Leagues (representing national leagues) filed a legal complaint with the European Commission. The complaint accuses FIFA of abusing its control over the International Match Calendar, citing a conflict of interest as both a competition organizer and governing body.
The complaint specifically targets the men’s International Match Calendar, including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 men’s World Cup. The concern? Player fatigue and burnout. With the 2034 World Cup potentially adding even more strain, the stakes are higher than ever.
Adding fuel to the fire, sources told ESPN that FIFA has yet to consult with major leagues or players’ unions about staging the 2034 tournament during the northern hemisphere winter. This is despite the fact that FIFA would need their agreement to move the tournament from its traditional summer slot. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has previously ruled that FIFA must secure the approval of leagues and players to make significant changes to the International Match Calendar. So, unless FIFA starts playing ball with its stakeholders, this battle could get even messier.
What’s Next?
For now, the International Match Calendar is locked in place until 2030. FIFA sources told ESPN that all stakeholders, including leagues and players, will be consulted before finalizing the calendar for 2034. But given the backlash from the Qatar World Cup and the ongoing legal challenges, it’s clear that FIFA has a long road ahead if it wants to make the 2034 winter World Cup a reality.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, with FIFA expected to confirm the decision on Wednesday.
- The tournament will likely take place during the winter months to avoid extreme summer heat, similar to Qatar 2022.
- Major European leagues and players’ unions are pushing back, citing concerns over scheduling disruptions, player fatigue, and FIFA’s control of the International Match Calendar.
- Legal battles are already underway, with FIFPRO Europe and European Leagues filing a complaint with the European Commission.
- FIFA will need to consult with stakeholders before finalizing the 2034 calendar, but tensions remain high.
So, what do you think? Is FIFA biting off more than it can chew with another winter World Cup? Or is this just the price of taking the beautiful game to new corners of the globe? One thing’s for sure: the road to 2034 is going to be anything but smooth.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
