Saudi Arabia is almost certain to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after the Australian Football Association refused to take part in the competition.
FIFA had set a deadline of Tuesday to submit a bid to host the tournament, but Australia’s decision to withdraw leaves Saudi Arabia as the declared candidate.
“We have explored the option of submitting a bid to host the FIFA World Cup and, after all factors, have concluded not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia (FA) said in a statement.
FIFA has yet to approve Saudi Arabia as host – a decision that will most likely be made next year – but victory now turns out to be a formality.
– Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) October 31, 2023
It would be the culmination of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious attempt to become a major player in global sport, having spent lavish sums to attract dozens of star footballers to its domestic league, buy English club Newcastle, unleash the separatist excursion LIV Golf and host the main excursions. . boxing matches.
By awarding the 2030 World Cup to a joint bid by Spain, Portugal and Morocco – which will also include matches in South America – FIFA has to accelerate the race to host the 2034 venue earlier this month, with only member federations from Asia and Oceania eligible.
The tight deadline gave them less than four weeks to enter the race and an extra month to sign a candidacy agreement that required government support.
Hours after FIFA’s announcement, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced its goal of submitting a bid and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) supported the kingdom to bring the World Cup back to the Middle East after neighboring Qatar hosted the 2022 edition.
Saudi Arabia will also host the men’s Asian Cup in 2027 and has introduced an extensive structural program to build and renovate stadiums that will most likely also be used for the World Cup.
FIFA’s bidding documents imply that 14 stadiums are for the 48-team tournament.
“Hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would realize our dream of becoming a leading country in global sport and mark a vital step in the transformation of the country,” Saudi Sports Minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said in a press release.
“As a pop-up and welcoming home for all sports, hosting a FIFA World Cup is the next critical step in our football journey. “
Our bet is encouraged by Saudi Arabia’s transformation journey, the hobby of our fans and our commitment to hosting a tournament. #Saudi2034In more ➡. . . pic. twitter. com/zmpNt86Ksl
– الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم (@saudiFF) October 4, 2023
Last week, Human Rights Watch complained that FIFA was failing to apply its own rules regarding Saudi Arabia’s bid, specifically Article Seven of its human rights policy.
The article reads: “FIFA will engage constructively with the relevant government and other stakeholders and will make every effort to fulfil its human rights responsibilities abroad. »
“The option for FIFA to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup despite its appalling human rights record and closed door to surveillance exposes FIFA’s human rights commitments as a travesty,” said Minky Worden, global projects director at Human Rights Watch.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faced accusations of sportswashing in an interview with Fox News last month, saying, “If sportswashing increased my GDP by 1 percent, then I would continue to practice sportswashing. »
“I don’t care. A % GDP expansion thanks to sport and my target is a % and a half. Call it what you want, we’re going to get that 1. 5%.