Saudi Arabia is a near lock to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia, the only country with a potential competing bid, dropped out Tuesday.
FIFA still must rubber-stamp the Saudi bid at a meeting next year, but there will be little drama with only one option on the table.
The 2034 tournament will likely take place in November and December of that year to avoid scorching Saudi summers. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was similarly moved to the middle of the European club soccer season.
Human rights organizations slammed the Saudi World Cup, pointing out the kingdom’s treatment of women and the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Thousands of migrant workers died in Qatar building the infrastructure for last year’s tournament, and there were immediate concerns that tragedy would be repeated.
“With Saudi Arabia’s estimated 13.4 million migrant workers, inadequate labor and heat protections and no unions, no independent human rights monitors, and no press freedom, there is every reason to fear for the lives of those who would build and service stadiums, transit, hotels, and other hosting infrastructure in Saudi Arabia,” Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives Minky Worden said in statement.
FIFA was criticized for appearing to steer the process in Saudi Arabia’s favor. The organization’s president, Gianni Infantino, has close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After FIFA picked the 2030 hosts earlier this month, it fast-tracked 2034 bidding and limited it to countries in the Asian Football Confederation, which includes Australia.
Australian soccer federation leader James Johnson called the sped-up process “a little bit of a surprise.” Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, was clearly prepared and quickly submitted its bid.
The 2034 World Cup represents the culmination of Saudi Arabia’s years-long plan to be a major player in worldwide sports. The kingdom started a rival golf league, purchased English soccer club Newcastle and signed numerous superstar players to its domestic soccer league in recent years.
With News Wire Services
