FIFA Confirms Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 World Cup, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for 2030
FIFA has officially announced the host countries for the upcoming World Cups, confirming that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s football World Cup, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host the 2030 tournament. Additionally, three matches in the 2030 World Cup will be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the competition.
The decision was made during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress held on Wednesday, where representatives from all 211 FIFA member nations participated via video link. The hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups were decided through two separate votes. The first vote confirmed Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina as the centenary hosts for the 2030 tournament, with three matches being held in these countries. The second vote awarded the 2030 tournament to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while also naming Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup.
The selection process for both tournaments was met with some controversy. Votes were conducted by ‘acclamation,’ where delegates showed their approval by clapping in front of their cameras. Norway abstained from voting for the 2034 tournament, citing concerns over the bidding process, though not objecting to Saudi Arabia being named the host. Switzerland also requested that their observations about the voting process be included in the meeting minutes.
The decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia has sparked criticism due to the country’s ongoing reputation issues, including concerns over human rights violations and environmental impacts. Critics accuse Saudi Arabia of ‘sportswashing,’ a term used to describe the country’s attempts to improve its global image through high-profile sports investments. Despite this, the country has committed to building the necessary infrastructure for the World Cup, with 15 stadiums identified for the event, although only four have been completed so far.
While the selection of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup is widely regarded as a historic collaboration between European and African nations, the decision to hold matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the tournament adds further significance to the event.
As the 2030 and 2034 World Cups draw closer, the attention now turns to the development of infrastructure and preparation for what promises to be two landmark tournaments in football history.
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