FIFA has revealed the organizers of the 2034 World Cup and it is Saudi Arabia that has been chosen to host the tournament.
The selection and the decision-making process have been controversial, with FIFA being submissive important consideration as a result, but Saudi Arabia's growing influence in sports will reach its peak when the Middle Eastern country hosts the world's most important sporting event.
But why has Saudi Arabia been chosen as the host, when will the tournament take place and why is the decision controversial?
FIFA confirmed their decision to award host status to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup on Wednesday 11 December.
It was announced by the governing body along with the decision to make Spain, Portugal and Morocco joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup, with three matches in that tournament to be held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the competition.
It is the third tournament organized in Asia after the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke about the alleged reasons Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup during the announcement.
“The 2034 FIFA World Cup – the first of the new century, so to speak, of World Cups, will be a spectacular event,” said the 54-year-old. “What Saudi Arabia has presented in their offer is absolutely incredible.
“It is unique, Saudi Arabia, a country that has been opening up to the world for several years with an organization process that is completely on track, and the FIFA World Cup will definitely be a catalyst there for social improvement and social change.
“And we will work, all together, to open Saudi Arabia even more to the world to make sure that the world sees (the country), that they witness the welcoming elements of Saudi Arabia: the nature, the culture, food. Everything that not only football fans love, but everyone in the world.”
There are a number of reasons why the 2034 World Cup hosted by Saudi Arabia is so controversial.
One aspect is the country's appalling human rights record. Gender equality in Saudi Arabia is another hot topic, with women and girls severely limited in what they can do, while there is no free press and homosexuality is illegal. These issues were raised before the World Cup in Qatar, but often fell on deaf ears.
The staging of the World Cup has been seen by many charities and human rights activists as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to “spoil” their reputation and image, using sport to cover up controversies and issues within the country.
Even the decision-making process has come under criticism. Saudi Arabia's bid was the only bid for the 2034 World Cup, with FIFA changing their criteria and eligibility for host countries. The governing body stated that the tournament had to be held in Oceania or Asia due to the 2030 World Cup being held on three continents (Europe, Africa and South America), thereby limiting the amount of competition and the number of viable bids that could be made. to rival Arabia. of Arabia.
Not only that, FIFA also shortened the time allotted for those preparing bids to just 25 days, meaning many countries could not make a proposal in time. Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia launched its bid almost immediately after said rules were put in place.
No official date has been released for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, but reports have suggested the competition will be held in the winter months.
Like the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which was staged in November and December, high temperatures and humidity in Saudi Arabia mean a winter tournament is likely.
While Saudi Arabia has refused to rule out a summer World Cup, a mid-season tournament looks far more likely at the moment.