After Australia backed out of the competition just hours before the FIFA deadline today, Saudi Arabia has all but secured the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Soon after the world football governing body announced that the 2034 edition could only be held in Asia or Oceania, Saudi Arabia threw their hat in the ring.
As Australia emerged as the sole competitor, the Gulf nation quickly gained a large amount of support, notably that of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa Reported by Inews
However, the co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup decided against it and would instead focus on the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029.
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“We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” the statement said.
“Instead, we believe we are in a strong position to host the world’s oldest women’s international competition, the AFC Women’s Asian CupTM 2026, followed by the greatest teams in world football for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029.”
“Achieving this – following the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ and with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games – would represent a truly golden decade for Australian football.
“For international tournament hosting, the Australian time zones provide significant opportunities for broadcasters, and we are within touching distance of billions of people in Asia and Oceania, which also helps to provide a strong commercial outlook for competitions.”
Saudi human rights put under microscope
Hosting the world’s biggest football tournament is seen as the pinnacle for a country attempting to transform its economy and international reputation through sport.
The Middle Eastern kingdom has spent billions attracting some of the most famous names in football to its Saudi Pro League, as well hosting major events in boxing and Formula One, plus investments in golf and clubs like Newcastle United.
But the World Cup will bring a new level of scrutiny on its appalling human rights record.
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