FIFA Confirms as the Saudi Arabia set to host the FIFA World Cup 2034.
Saudi Arabia is set to be officially confirmed by FIFA on Wednesday as the host of the 2034 men's soccer World Cup. This marks a significant achievement for the oil-rich kingdom, which has heavily invested in global sports under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The decision concludes a 15-month bid process, guided largely by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which faced no competition and operated with limited transparency. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential risks to migrant workers' lives due to the kingdom's labor practices.
FIFA and Saudi authorities claim that hosting the 2034 tournament can serve as a catalyst for social change, including advancing women's rights and freedoms. The streamlined path to Saudi Arabia’s selection was facilitated last year when FIFA approved a three-continent hosting arrangement for the 2030 World Cup, led by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
This decision initiates a decade-long period of scrutiny regarding Saudi labor laws and the treatment of workers, predominantly from South Asia, who will be involved in constructing and upgrading infrastructure, including 15 stadiums, hotels, and transportation systems.
Plans for these facilities include innovative projects, such as a stadium in Neom—a futuristic city still under development—positioned 350 meters above ground, and another stadium named after the crown prince, located atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh.
Throughout the bidding process, FIFA has faced criticism for its limited examination of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, which has been widely condemned internationally, including at the United Nations. Rights groups argue that FIFA has failed to learn from the controversies surrounding Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia plans to allocate tens of billions of dollars to World Cup-related projects, aligning with the crown prince's Vision 2030 initiative aimed at modernizing the nation’s society and economy. Central to this vision is extensive investment in sports through the $900 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), overseen by the crown prince. Critics label this strategy as “sportswashing” to improve the kingdom's global image.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MBS, has cultivated a strong relationship with Infantino since 2017, opting to align with FIFA rather than directly challenge traditional sports structures, as seen with Saudi Arabia’s disruptive LIV Golf project.
The partnership between Saudi Arabia and FIFA has progressed with minimal resistance from soccer officials, despite some opposition from international women players. Saudi financial influence in global soccer is poised to grow further. FIFA has created a premium sponsorship tier for Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state oil company, and Saudi funds are set to support the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, one of Infantino’s key initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has also signed numerous agreements within the soccer world, including a multi-year deal between CONCACAF and the PIF, hosting Super Cup matches for Italy and Spain, and forging partnerships with nearly 50 FIFA member federations. Additionally, Saudi clubs, owned by the PIF, have spent lavishly to attract top players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané, injecting substantial funds into European soccer.
The scheduling of the 2034 World Cup remains a key consideration. While Qatar hosted its tournament in November-December 2022 to avoid extreme heat, Saudi Arabia faces challenges with the holy month of Ramadan and the Riyadh Asian Games in late 2034. A January timeframe is under discussion, potentially benefiting European leagues, with the International Olympic Committee signaling minimal conflict with the Salt Lake Winter Games, which begin in February 2034.
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