Oct 31 (UPI) — Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup after Australia withdrew, the other being a contender for the next edition of the men’s soccer tournament.
“We have explored the option of submitting a bid to host the FIFA World Cup and, after all factors, have concluded that we will not do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a press release.
FIFA has set a deadline of October 31 for the programmes of potential hosts, welcoming bids from Asia and Oceania. Saudi Arabia, which announced its bid on Oct. 9, is the well-known country to publicly announce its goal of hosting the tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s football federation said it had won audiences from more than 70 FIFA member associations in its efforts to become the venue for the event.
Earlier this month, Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup. The Asian Football Confederation includes Saudi Arabia and countries in Oceania, in addition to Australia.
FIFA has yet to officially approve Saudi Arabia’s bid, with a resolution in 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the World Cup is part of major efforts by the country, which has been criticized for its human rights record (coupled with its ties to the hijackers of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks), to expand its footprint in the country. Football and the world of sport.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is leading those efforts. The fund’s real estate department sponsors the Saudi Pro League. Several teams in this league, which belong to the $700 billion fund, have managed to attract soccer stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. , to continue their gambling careers in the Middle East.
The fund also continues to operate LIV Golf, a rival to the PGA Tour, which now needs to register with the American league. This potential deal remains under investigation by the U. S. Department of Justice.
King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh is the largest stadium in Saudi Arabia. The facility is the stadium of Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League club owned through the Public Investment Fund.
Looking ahead, the men’s 2026 tournament will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 2030 tournament will be held in Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.