Saudi Arabia secured the right to host the 2034 World Cup on Wednesday following a vote by FIFA’s 211 member federations.
The Arab country has been the presumed future host since bidding opened last October with only Asian and Oceanic countries able to make proposals. Asian federations fully supported the Saudi Arabian proposal shortly thereafter.
The decision hasn’t been without controversy. On Wednesday, Norway voted against the Saudi Arabia bid. “FIFA’s own guidelines for human rights and due diligence have also not been adequately integrated into the process, increasing the risk of human rights violations,” Norway soccer federation president Lise Klaveness said in a statement ahead of the vote.
Amnesty International’s head of labor rights previously called the process “a sham.”
Saudi Arabia, which has reportedly invested more than $6 billion in sports since 2021, is expected to pour hundreds of billions into construction over the next decade. Expected host cities include Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and under-development megacity Neom. The centerpiece of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the Gulf kingdom’s economy and enhance its reputation, Neom has come under particular scrutiny for the treatment of workers there and the alleged forcible displacement of Howeitat tribe members in the area. There has also been conversation about the country giving some of the 104 games it’s set to host to neighboring states.
Exactly when in the year the 2034 World Cup will take place is also uncertain. Given the extreme summer heat in the region, Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup in November and December. However, Saudi Arabia is already set to put on the Asian Games that December, while Ramadan runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10 in 2034. The 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City that February also complicates scheduling decisions.
Despite the issues, an in-house FIFA review body previously approved Saudi Arabia’s bid in a 110-page report.
Wednesday’s vote also approved the 2030 World Cup hosts: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
A World Cup will expand Saudi Arabia’s sporting influence, which has grown with recent investments and partnerships across boxing, Formula 1, golf, tennis and soccer.
In April, Saudi oil firm Aramco signed a FIFA sponsorship deal, and similar tie-ups are expected following Wednesday’s announcement.
But the run-up to the tournament is also sure to put the Saudi kingdom under even more scrutiny for its human rights issues, not to mention FIFA, which awarded the 2018 World Cup to Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the 2022 event to Qatar, which drew harsh criticism for its treatment of workers building the tournament infrastructure.
