GENEVA — The anticipated announcement from FIFA regarding the hosting of the 2034 World Cup is set for Wednesday, confirming Saudi Arabia as the chosen nation. Alongside this, the 2030 World Cup will be awarded to a collaborative project between six nations spanning three continents, primarily led by co-hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting a single match each, marking a return to the tournament’s roots as the inaugural hosts in 1930.
This decision comes after a clear trajectory established during FIFA’s sessions last year, indicating that both plans were virtually decided. FIFA’s leadership, particularly president Gianni Infantino, has been pivotal throughout the bidding process, forecasting Wednesday’s developments positively. The influx of scrutiny and attention to Saudi Arabia’s growing modernization efforts spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected over the next decade.
On Wednesday, FIFA will convene a special congress in Zurich at 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT), allowing its 211 member federations to participate online. This closed-session meeting at FIFA headquarters is expected to be streamed live on their official website.
The FIFA council, comprising 37 members including the president of the Saudi federation, Yasser al Misehal, will meet the day before to endorse both hosting bids. The selection of the 2030 and 2034 hosts will likely occur through a collective decision, bypassing a traditional voting process.
With expectations high, the Saudi bid team expressed that the announcement will ignite celebrations throughout the country, reflecting the nation’s passion for football.
The bidding process for these World Cups unfolded gradually, stirring international interest. Following Morocco’s unsuccessful bid for 2026, King Mohammed VI promptly announced the nation’s desire to co-host in 2030, leading to an unexpected collaboration with Spain and Portugal. This united effort has withstood consideration of including Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
Saudi Arabia, initially pursuing a co-hosting arrangement with Egypt and Greece or Italy, faced challenges from UEFA, but was later favored in discussions led by FIFA. The swift backing from the Asian Football Confederation culminated in a more streamlined approach, favoring a Saudi bid while interest from Australia declined.
There has been minimal public explanation from FIFA regarding these bids, aside from obligatory documents and campaign websites. Notably, there was no formal launch in Zurich or promotional activities at previous FIFA gatherings.
The proposed plan for the 2030 World Cup features an impressive suite of venues, including the ambitious 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca among 24 total stadiums across the host nations. The anticipated final would take place on July 21, with simultaneous matches marking the event’s opening in South America.
For the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia has outlined a framework involving 15 stadiums across five cities, including both completed and planned venues. The grand opening match and final will be held at an anticipated 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh.
Significant considerations remain regarding the construction of stadiums and supporting infrastructure, including hotels and transport systems, as well as the enforcement of legal protections for workers involved in these developments. There is an ongoing skepticism surrounding the measures FIFA and Saudi Arabia will adopt to avoid repeating the labor and human rights issues present during Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations, despite FIFA’s assurances of positive human rights advancements through these World Cups.
Questions also arise about the scheduling of the 2034 tournament. The midsummer conditions in Saudi Arabia parallel those faced in Qatar, which prompted a shift to a November-December timeline. However, that period coincides with Ramadan, alongside Riyadh preparing to host the Asian Games, prompting speculation that January might emerge as a viable compromise despite the overlap with the Salt Lake City Olympics.
Moreover, the financial implications of Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship on FIFA’s budget and payouts to member federations are considerable. A new sponsorship tier has been created for the Saudi oil giant, Aramco, featuring an agreement estimated at $100 million annually, with further partnerships likely to be revealed post-announcement. There is anticipation that future FIFA events, like the 2025 Club World Cup, will benefit from substantial Saudi financial backing, supporting prize funds for European teams.
