FIFA has officially confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be jointly organized by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the opening three matches taking place in South America. Both bids were ratified at an online FIFA Congress on Wednesday, with backing from the English, Scottish, and Welsh Football Associations.
The 2034 World Cup bid process was marked by controversy, as Saudi Arabia was the only country to submit a proposal. FIFA combined the votes for both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments into a single vote, meaning delegates were required to support or reject both bids together, rather than voting on them separately. This led to Saudi Arabia’s unopposed selection as the host for 2034.
The 2030 World Cup, set to celebrate its centenary, will be held across three continents, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting the tournament’s opening games. However, the decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has sparked a backlash, with critics accusing FIFA of “sportswashing” the country’s image amid its controversial human rights record. Saudi Arabia has faced significant criticism for issues such as the criminalization of homosexuality, restrictions on freedom of speech, and limited rights for women.
The decision also highlights Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in global sports. The Kingdom has become a key player in hosting high-profile events such as Formula 1, boxing, golf, and tennis, and its Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns Premier League club Newcastle United and has funded LIV Golf.
Although the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has pledged to support the Saudi bid, it has also stated that it will monitor efforts to address human rights concerns leading up to the event. FIFA’s evaluation team awarded Saudi Arabia’s bid the highest-ever score in its history, noting only a “medium risk” on human rights. However, Amnesty International strongly criticized the evaluation, calling it a “whitewash.”
The 2034 World Cup will also be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams and be hosted by a single nation, breaking from the precedent set by the 2026 World Cup, which will be held jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Saudi Arabia’s selection was effectively decided after an agreement during a FIFA Council meeting in October 2023, as the rotation system limited eligible hosts to countries in Asia and Oceania. Saudi Arabia announced its bid the same day Australia confirmed it would not compete.
Concerns have also been raised about the timing of the tournament, given Saudi Arabia’s intense summer heat, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C in June and July. FIFA’s evaluation report suggests the tournament could be scheduled for the winter months, which would likely face opposition from European football leagues, including the Premier League. A winter World Cup could disrupt domestic seasons and further complicate the already expanded 48-team format.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have warned that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could put migrant workers at risk, particularly with regard to exploitative labor conditions in extreme heat. There are also fears of forced evictions for major infrastructure projects and further suppression of free speech in the country. Amnesty has criticized FIFA for not securing human rights guarantees before awarding the tournament, arguing that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for future World Cup hosts.
In summary, while Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup has been hailed as a major achievement for the country’s growing global influence, it also raises serious concerns about human rights, the potential for exploitation, and the impact on the international football calendar.
