FIFA Confirms Saudi Arabia as Host Nation of 2034 World Cup
FIFA's decision has been met with substantial criticism.
FIFA has officially confirmed Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. The announcement came during an online FIFA Congress, where the bid was ratified without opposition. The English, Scottish, and Welsh Football Associations supported the bid, which was the sole submission for the tournament.
In an unprecedented arrangement, FIFA combined the decisions for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups into a single vote, effectively limiting alternative options. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the opening three matches taking place in South America, commemorating the tournament’s centenary.
Saudi Arabia’s selection symbolizes the country’s growing global influence across various sporting domains, including Formula 1, boxing, golf, and tennis. The nation’s Public Investment Fund has already made significant inroads into international sports, including establishing LIV Golf and acquiring Newcastle United football club.
However, FIFA’s decision has been met with substantial criticism. Human rights organizations have condemned the selection, pointing at Saudi Arabia’s problematic record on issues including free speech restrictions and women’s rights.
FIFA’s bid evaluation team awarded Saudi Arabia the highest-ever score and classified the bid as only “medium risk” on human rights—a classification Amnesty International described as “an astonishing whitewash.”
The 2034 tournament will be historic in another aspect: it will be the first time the expanded 48-team format is hosted by a single country. This follows the 2026 World Cup, which will be shared by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
