FIFA World Cup: Three nations to host in 2030, Saudi Arabia in 2034

FIFA has officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 Men’s World Cup, marking a significant achievement for the oil-rich kingdom. This move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious strategy of heavy investment in global sports.

Saudi Arabia’s bid was unopposed, receiving overwhelming support from more than 200 FIFA member federations during a virtual meeting held in Zurich on Wednesday, chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” stated Infantino, as participants demonstrated their support with applause.

This decision follows the approval of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup. The tournament will also feature matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, celebrating the centenary of Uruguay hosting the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

The decisions conclude a contentious 15-month bidding process, largely directed by Infantino. Critics have raised concerns about a lack of transparency, especially regarding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Amnesty International and other rights groups have warned of potential risks to migrant workers involved in constructing and upgrading infrastructure, including 15 stadiums, hotels, and transport systems for the 104-game tournament.

Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans for the World Cup, including a stadium 350 metres above ground in Neom — a futuristic city still under development — and another perched on a 200-metre cliff near Riyadh. FIFA and Saudi officials have claimed the tournament could drive positive change, such as advancing women’s rights and freedoms.

The pathway for Saudi Arabia’s bid was cleared last year when FIFA approved the three-continent hosting arrangement for 2030, limiting the 2034 contest to Asia and Oceania. With a tight four-week deadline to declare bids, Saudi Arabia was the sole candidate.

The decision has sparked criticism, with human rights groups accusing FIFA of failing to secure public commitments from Saudi Arabia to uphold basic protections. Amnesty International called FIFA’s actions “reckless” and claimed the organisation has ignored lessons from Qatar’s criticised preparations for the 2022 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in projects linked to the World Cup, as part of Vision 2030 — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative to modernise the nation’s society and economy. Central to this vision is heavy spending on sports through the kingdom’s $900 billion Public Investment Fund. Critics, however, view these efforts as an attempt to “sportswash” the nation’s global image.