Dec. 11 (UPI) — Saudi Arabia was picked as host of the men’s 2034 FIFA World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday as the soccer governing body held a virtual congress session. The Middle Eastern country was the only bidder.
“This is a historic moment for Saudi Arabia and a dream come true for all our 32 million people who simply love the game,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, the president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a news release.
“The kingdom is on a remarkable journey of transformation under Vision 2030 and today is another huge step forward that reflects and celebrates our progress while looking ahead to an even brighter future.”
FIFA also confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be held in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, in addition the three South American countries of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The bid to host the 2030 World Cup also was uncontested.
Saudi Arabia submitted its bid for the World Cup in July, with plans to hold the competition in 15 state-of-the art stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM.
Riyadh’s King Salman International Stadium is to host the opening match and the finale. Saudi Arabia would become the first single-nation host of a 48-team World Cup.
“The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” Infantino said.
تخيل معنا المستقبل في 2034! ملف #ترشح_السعودية2034 يدعو العالم لينضم لنا في هذه الرحلة التاريخية ⚽ لمعرفة المزيد: https://t.co/5iBhCfvn99 #معًا_ننمو pic.twitter.com/XVuXyBQAn4— كأس العالم السعودية 2034 (@Saudi2034AR) August 1, 2024
The decision to approve Saudi Arabia as host was met with widespread scrutiny from Amnesty International and 20 other organizations, who condemned the decision through a joint statement that cited the country’s “weak human rights protections.”
“Today’s confirmation of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 FIFA men’s World Cup, despite the well-known and severe risks to residents, migrant workers and visiting fans alike, marks a moment of great danger,” the statement said.
“It should also mark a moment for change. As global and regional human rights organizations, trade unions, fans groups and organizations representing migrant workers, many of us have long highlighted the severe risks posed by Saudi Arabia’s hosting of mega-sporting events.
“By awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without meaningful protections, FIFA has today decided both to ignore our warnings and discard its own human rights policies. FIFA can never claim that it did not know the severity of the risks of hosting its flagship event in a country with such weak human rights protections. Nor can the national Football Associations voting to approve it.”
The statement also cited evidence showing that migrant workers were “being exploited and subjected to racism, activists being sentenced to decades in prison for expressing themselves peacefully [and] women and LGBTQIA+ people facing legalized discrimination.” The organizations also referenced residents being “forcibly evicted to make way for state projects.”
“It is evident that without urgent action and comprehensive reforms, the 2034 World Cup will be tarnished by repression, discrimination and exploitation on a massive scale,” the statement said.
#أهلًا_بالعالم .. حيّه من يجينا العود بالمبخر.. والقهوة بيدينا
إليكم الأغنية الرسمية لكأس العالم #السعودية34 pic.twitter.com/mk27i60vg7— كأس العالم السعودية 2034 (@Saudi2034AR) December 11, 2024
FIFA announced Tuesday that the next women’s World Cup will be held June 24 to 25, 2027, in Brazil.
