The FIFA World Cup is the most popular sporting event in the world, and countries fight tooth and nail to host it. The tournament is held every four years and draws billions of viewers from across the globe. FIFA claimed earlier this year that the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France drew about 1.5 billion viewers.
Hosting the World Cup is a big deal for any country, and Saudi Arabia must have been thrilled to be announced as the host of the 2034 edition. FIFA president Gianni Infantino officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup yesterday, raising a few eyebrows in the process.
Gianni Infantino confirms Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup 2034
Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the official host of the 2034 World Cup by FIFA president Gianni Infantino via a social media post yesterday. With the 2026 and 2030 World Cups already secured by the joint adventure of USA, Mexico, and Canada, and another joint bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain, respectively, Saudi Arabia has been given the rights to host the 2034 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
“The next two editions of the FIFA World Cup are set to be hosted in Africa (Morocco) and Europe (Portugal and Spain) – with three celebratory matches played in South America (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) – in 2030 and in Asia (Saudi Arabia) in 2034,” the FIFA president declared on Instagram.
“Three editions (including 2026 hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States), five continents and ten countries involved in staging matches in the tournament – that’s making football truly global.”
“The bidding processes were approved by consensus via the FIFA Council – where all six confederations are represented – after constructive dialogue and extensive consultation. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this positive exchange.”
“Football unites the world like no other sport, and the FIFA World Cup is the perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion, as well as providing an important illustration of how different cultures can be together and can learn and better understand one another,” Infantino added.
Soccer community reacts to Saudi Arabia as FIFA World Cup 2034 host
Infantino’s announcement yesterday on social media caused a great deal of buzz in the soccer community, with many claiming assigning the 2026 and 2030 World Cup hosts to the major continents was an elaborate scheme to make Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup host.
“FIFA chose to have the 2030 World Cup on three continents, making all three ineligible to host in 2034, leaving only Asia and Oceania. Only Saudi Arabia put in a bid, which was “forced” to select. Say what you will about FIFA, at least they’re corrupt in creative ways,” a Twitter user said.
“Cash out season for Infantino and his football people.”, another wrote.
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