In a landmark announcement, FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This historic decision further cements the kingdom’s growing influence in global sports, following its successful bids to host the 2034 Asian Games and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

2030: A Centenary Celebration Across Continents

Before the Saudi-hosted tournament, the 2030 FIFA World Cup will celebrate the competition’s centennial with a unique format. The tournament will be co-hosted by six nations—Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as primary hosts, with opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to honour the World Cup’s birthplace in South America.

Saudi Arabia: The Lone Bid for 2034

FIFA set a 25-day deadline in October 2023 for nations to express interest in hosting the 2034 World Cup. Both Saudi Arabia and Australia initially stepped forward. However, Australia withdrew its bid to focus on securing hosting rights for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

With Saudi Arabia left as the sole candidate, FIFA endorsed the bid, awarding it an impressive score of 4.2 out of 5—surpassing the 2026 bid by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, which received a score of 4.0.

Even football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, voiced support for the bid, stating on social media: “The @Saudi2034bid is inspiring so many young footballers with the promise of #GrowingTogether…”

Massive Investments for a Visionary World Cup

Saudi Arabia’s plans for the 2034 World Cup are ambitious. The kingdom aims to construct and upgrade 15 state-of-the-art stadiums, alongside hotels and transport infrastructure, to accommodate the 104-match tournament. Projects include:

  • A futuristic stadium in the yet-to-be-built Neom city, planned to soar 350 meters above ground.
  • A stadium named after the Crown Prince, situated atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh.

These developments are integral to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, a transformative initiative to modernise Saudi Arabia’s economy and society. The $900 billion Public Investment Fund, a cornerstone of Vision 2030, will heavily finance the World Cup-related projects.

Criticism and Human Rights Concerns

While the World Cup announcement bolsters Saudi Arabia’s global image, it has reignited criticism over the kingdom’s human rights record.

  • Labour practices will come under intense scrutiny, especially concerning the treatment of South Asian workers tasked with delivering ambitious infrastructure projects.
  • Critics have drawn parallels to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, which faced backlash for its handling of migrant workers and labour reforms.

Despite this, FIFA has faced criticism for its limited engagement with these concerns during the bidding process, raising questions about lessons learned from past tournaments.

A New Era for Saudi Arabia and Global Football

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2034 marks a significant milestone in its quest for global prominence in sports. While the tournament promises an unprecedented spectacle, the kingdom faces a decade of challenges to deliver on its visionary promises while addressing human rights and labour issues.

As preparations begin, the global football community will closely watch how Saudi Arabia navigates the balance between grand ambitions and the responsibilities of hosting one of the world’s most significant sporting events.

(With agency inputs)