October 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia is likely to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia withdrew its bid on Tuesday, marking another victory for the kingdom in its quest to become a global sports powerhouse.
Football Australia said in a statement that it “reached the conclusion not to” bid for the quadrennial men’s soccer tournament.
FIFA announced on Oct. 4 that it was inviting bids from countries in Asia and Oceania to host the 2034 tournament. Saudi Arabia announced its bid minutes after the announcement. The deadline to bid is this Tuesday and with Australia pulling out, Saudi Arabia is the sole confirmed bidder remaining, according to multiple reports.
FIFA did not immediately comment.
Why it matters: Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup would be exciting for soccer fans in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, especially after Qatar became the first country in the region to host the tournament in 2022. Saudi Arabia has a population of more than 35 million and soccer is the biggest sport in the country.
The Saudi team achieved a huge victory over eventual champions Argentina in Doha last year, but lost its other two games in the group stage and failed to advance.
On Tuesday some observers criticized Saudi Arabia’s quest for the 2034 hosting rights, referencing the kingdom’s human rights record.
11 years to go til the Saudi World Cup. 11 years of trying to talk constructively about global warming, human rights abuses, capital punishment, migrant workers and the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people, and then to be told by the people with influence to “focus on the football”. — Jon Holmes (@jonboy79) October 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia is regularly criticized over the treatment of women and LGBTQ people in the country, as well as its conduct in the war in Yemen.
The kingdom has made limited progress on improving its human rights record. In 2018, the Saudi government finally allowed women the right to drive, and in 2019 permitted them to travel without a man’s permission. However, women still need male permission for certain actions, including marriage, according to Human Rights Watch’s 2023 report on the country.
Qatar was similarly criticized in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, particularly with regard to the plight of foreign workers.
Some observers have accused FIFA of favoring Saudi Arabia’s bid to host in 2034. Sky News reporter Rob Harris wrote earlier this month that FIFA allowing just four weeks to submit hosting proposals and restricting the bids to Asia and Oceania is “widely seen as an attempt to pave the way for the kingdom to host the event.”
For its part, FIFA often says its decisions are motivated by a desire to grow the game around the world, according to a Tuesday report from The Athletic.
Saudi Arabia is aggressively pursuing sports investment as part of its economic diversification strategy and efforts to reduce dependence on oil. In soccer, Saudi Pro League teams have signed several top international players in the past year, most notably Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2021, a consortium led by the Saudi Public Investment Fund acquired Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
In August, the fund announced a $100 million investment in the US Professional Fighters League, a mixed martial arts competition.
The Public Investment Fund’s LIV Golf league is in its second season and is currently in talks with the US-based PGA Tour on a merger. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that the entities’ end-of-the-year deadline to complete the deal is likely to be pushed back.
LIV has been especially criticized, with US critics alleging the kingdom is seeking to “sportswash” its rights record with the league. Many 9/11 victims and family members likewise oppose LIV due to the Saudi government’s alleged role in the attacks — a charge Riyadh denies.
Last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of an “esports world cup.” Esports refers to competitive video gaming.
Know more: The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Morocco along with Spain and Portugal.
Saudi Arabia set to host 2034 World Cup after Australia withdraws
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