Sole bidder, Saudi Arabia confirmed for hosting 2034 men’s World Cup

Sport

31-10-2023, 23:15

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INA - SOURCES

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole bidder to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, raising concerns over Fifa’s ability to fulfil its human rights commitments.

Saudi Arabia emerged as the likely winner in the abbreviated race to host soccer’s World Cup in 2034 on Tuesday after Australia’s soccer federation announced that it would not bid for the tournament.

The decision removed what was the only potential hurdle in the way of Saudi Arabia’s plan to bring the world’s most-watched sporting event back to the Gulf.

Australia announced its decision hours before a deadline set by soccer’s governing body, FIFA, for nations to express an interest in hosting the World Cup. Saudi Arabia made clear its intent to bid weeks ago, and FIFA’s rules — and powerful allies — have all but assured that the kingdom will prevail.

FIFA’s move to speed up the bidding for 2034 surprised many, coming 11 years before the scheduled start of the tournament and a full three years before the 2034 host was supposed to be decided.

FIFA also said only bidders from Asia and Oceania, two of soccer’s six regional confederations, could be considered for selection, and on Tuesday evening it confirmed that Saudi Arabia was the only bidder.