Saudi Arabia Confirmed as Host for 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup: What You Need to Know
It’s official: Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup. FIFA made the announcement on Dec. 11, rubber-stamping the decisions for both the 2030 and 2034 editions of the tournament. While the 2030 World Cup will be a unique, globe-spanning event hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with one game each in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honor the centenary of the first World Cup, the 2034 tournament will be entirely in Saudi Arabia. This makes Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup, following Qatar in 2022.
But just like Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s selection has sparked controversy. From human rights concerns to questions about infrastructure, climate, and scheduling, the decision has raised eyebrows across the globe. Let’s break down the key issues surrounding Saudi Arabia 2034 and what it means for the future of the world’s biggest sporting event.
Why Was Saudi Arabia the Only Bidder?
When FIFA announced the bidding process for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups in October 2023, it introduced a “principle of confederation rotation.” This ensured that five of FIFA’s six confederations—Europe (UEFA), South America (CONMEBOL), Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), and Oceania (OFC)—would be considered as potential hosts. However, Concacaf (North and Central America) was excluded since the 2026 World Cup is already set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Under normal circumstances, Asia would have had to wait until 2042 to host another World Cup after Qatar 2022. But the decision to stage the 2030 tournament across three confederations (UEFA, CAF, and CONMEBOL) pushed Asia and Oceania to the front of the line for 2034. With Australia having left the OFC for the AFC in 2006, no Oceania nation was capable of hosting the tournament. New Zealand, for instance, lacks the necessary stadium infrastructure.
Australia initially explored a joint bid with New Zealand and later considered partnering with Indonesia. However, both proposals fell through, with Indonesia ultimately backing Saudi Arabia’s bid. China, despite President Xi Jinping’s previous ambitions to host a World Cup, also opted not to enter the race. By the end of October 2023, Saudi Arabia stood as the sole bidder for 2034.
FIFA’s tight timeline for bid submissions—just 26 days—also played a role. During an online conference with AFC members, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged Asia to unite behind a single bid, prompting swift support for Saudi Arabia. Japanese federation official Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stated, “Japan has a plan to host the FIFA World Cup by 2050, but now it’s time for Asia to get united and make a single bid [for 2034].” Similarly, Indonesian Football Federation president Erick Thohir said, “Indonesia supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.”
Winter or Summer World Cup?
The exact dates for the 2034 World Cup remain unconfirmed, but FIFA’s evaluation report highlighted that “local climatic conditions” in Saudi Arabia favor hosting the tournament between October and April. This aligns with the precedent set by Qatar 2022, which was held in November and December to avoid the region’s scorching summer temperatures, often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another factor is the Muslim festival of Ramadan, which will be observed from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10 in 2034. FIFA’s report noted that religious events like Ramadan and the annual Hajj pilgrimage would need to be considered when scheduling the tournament. A winter World Cup would likely require global club competitions to pause, as they did in 2022. However, a senior European football executive told ESPN that a winter World Cup in 2034 “will not be the issue it was in 2022 because having juggled the calendar once, it has proved to be possible.”
Can Saudi Arabia Deliver on Its Stadium Promises?
Saudi Arabia has pledged to build 11 new stadiums as part of its ambitious plans for 2034. The most striking proposal is a stadium built into a cliff edge in Neom, a futuristic city currently under construction. This venue, designed to host 45,000 fans, will be powered entirely by renewable energy. Other projects include the 92,760-capacity King Salman Stadium in Riyadh, which will host the World Cup final, and the Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar.
While Qatar set a high bar with its innovative stadium designs for 2022, Saudi Arabia aims to surpass those efforts. However, the shadow of Qatar’s World Cup looms large, particularly regarding the treatment of migrant workers. Official figures state that 40 workers died during Qatar’s preparations, though some reports suggest the number could be in the thousands. Saudi Arabia will need to address these concerns to avoid similar scrutiny.
Human Rights Concerns and Sportswashing Accusations
Critics have labeled Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid as a “sportswashing” effort to distract from its human rights record. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticized FIFA for accepting Saudi Arabia’s bid, citing issues such as the treatment of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and migrant workers.
FIFA, for its part, has defended its bidding process, stating that it adheres to “thorough” standards. However, the organization has faced backlash for what some see as a lack of transparency and accountability in its decision-making.
What’s Next for Saudi Football?
On the pitch, Saudi Arabia has a strong footballing history, with three Asian Cup titles and six World Cup appearances. The national team, known as the Arabian Falcons, will automatically qualify for 2034 as the host nation. Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League has become a hotspot for global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, thanks to massive financial backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
However, the league faces challenges in building a sustainable fan base. Despite the influx of talent, average attendance for the 2023-24 season was just 8,158—a 15.9% drop from the previous year. Some matches drew fewer than 1,000 fans, highlighting the need for greater local engagement.
Looking Ahead to 2034
While the 2034 World Cup is still a decade away, it’s already shaping up to be a tournament of stars. Players like Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Brazil’s Endrick, and England’s Cole Palmer are expected to shine, alongside a new generation of talent. But as the countdown begins, the spotlight will remain on Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver on its promises and address the controversies surrounding its bid.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
