KSA likely to host 2034 World Cup after Australia decides not to bid

Saudi Arabia is poised to host the 2034 Men’s World Cup following Australia’s withdrawal from the bid, a move that aligns with FIFA’s preferences and elevates the oil-rich nation’s global sports profile.

The Australian football federation, assessing various factors, opted not to participate in the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup. This decision effectively leaves Saudi Arabia as the only contender, a development that has been met with criticism from human rights activists.

FIFA, which still needs to officially confirm Saudi Arabia as the host next year, has been accused of shaping the bidding process in favor of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s aggressive sports investment, including acquiring star football players, purchasing Newcastle United, initiating the LIV Golf tour, and hosting major boxing events, is part of its strategy to enhance its global sports influence.

Critics argue that FIFA’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid is at odds with its human rights commitments. The kingdom’s sports investments, backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are viewed as efforts to improve its international image, which has been tainted by issues such as women’s rights and the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, has fostered strong connections with Saudi Arabian football and the crown prince. FIFA’s recent decision to have a single bid for the 2030 World Cup and the accelerated 2034 hosting race, open only to Asian and Oceanian federations, reflects a potential bias towards Saudi Arabia.

The Australian football federation’s chief, James Johnson, acknowledged the tight timeline for the bid. Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation, including Australia, has endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid, which would bring the World Cup back to the Middle East following Qatar’s 2022 hosting.

The timing of the Saudi tournament, like Qatar’s, might be shifted from the usual June-July schedule to avoid extreme heat. Australia, in contrast, aims to host future events like the 2029 Club World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.

The forthcoming World Cups are expected to face scrutiny regarding human rights, especially concerning migrant workers and labor conditions, as seen in Qatar. Human rights organizations stress the need for FIFA to adhere to and enforce its human rights policies in selecting World Cup hosts, urging the organization to halt the bidding process if these concerns are not adequately addressed.