Saudi Arabia has been declared as the host nation for the highly anticipated men’s 2034 World Cup, following Australia’s decision to withdraw from the bidding process, Football Australia confirmed on Tuesday, just hours before the FIFA deadline.
With no other competing bids in the race, Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole contender for the prestigious sporting event.
“We have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” read a statement from Football Australia.
The announcement comes on the heels of the revelation that the 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while the 2030 edition will be held in a collaboration between Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with additional matches scheduled in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
While the decision marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, the nation’s bid has been surrounded by controversy, given its human rights record.
Critics have highlighted issues such as the execution of 81 individuals in a single day last year, gender inequality, the criminalization of homosexuality, restrictions on freedom of speech, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The international reputation of the kingdom was further tarnished by the high-profile killing of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, drawing widespread condemnation and scrutiny.
Despite these concerns, the Asian Football Confederation had rallied behind Saudi Arabia’s bid, although it remains to be seen how the controversial host will navigate the global spotlight.
The move has also sparked debates about ‘sportswashing,’ with human rights advocates arguing that the Saudi government is employing sports as a distraction from its persisting reputation issues. This strategy mirrors the criticisms faced by Qatar during its preparation for the 2022 World Cup, which was marred by concerns over the treatment of migrant workers, human rights violations, and the nation’s stance on same-sex relationships.
Given the scorching temperatures in the region, it is widely expected that the 2034 World Cup, similar to the preceding edition, will be held during the winter months to mitigate the challenges posed by the extreme heat during summer.
Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has played host to several high-profile sporting events, ranging from football to Formula 1, golf, and boxing, signaling the nation’s increasing ambitions to establish itself as a prominent destination for international sports tournaments.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, said the World Cup bid “constitutes an important and natural step in our journey as a country passionate about football”.
Last month Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: “If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we’ll continue doing sportswashing.”
