FIFA is set to confirm the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups on Wednesday. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the 2030 tournament, which will span three continents and six countries. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will be the host for the 2034 World Cup.
Decision Expected to Be a Formality
In October last year, FIFA announced that there were no competing bids for either of the tournaments. As a result, Wednesday’s decision is expected to be a mere formality. It is anticipated that the vote will be accepted by “acclamation” rather than through a formal vote.
Norway to Reject Acclamation Process
However, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has criticized FIFA’s bidding process. The NFF called it “flawed and inconsistent” and stated that it would vote against awarding the hosting rights by acclamation.
Details of the Bids
For the 2030 World Cup, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the main event, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay staging special celebratory matches. This marks the tournament’s centenary, with Uruguay, the host of the first World Cup in 1930, playing a key role. Initially, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay had proposed a joint bid, but now only the three South American countries will host individual matches.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, becoming the second Middle Eastern country to do so after Qatar in 2022. While Australia and Indonesia had considered a joint bid, they dropped out before Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder.
Criticism of the Bids
Despite the excitement, both bids have faced criticism. The 2030 World Cup, which will be held across three continents, has drawn backlash from climate activists. They argue that the increased travel will negatively impact the environment. In response, FIFA has promised to take steps to mitigate the environmental impact.
Similarly, the 2034 World Cup bid by Saudi Arabia has been criticized due to the country’s human rights record and extreme desert climate. Many of these concerns were also raised during Qatar’s World Cup. Reports suggest that the 2034 tournament may be scheduled for January to avoid the extreme heat, potentially conflicting with the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. FIFA, however, has clarified that the Saudi bid did not specify a proposed timing. The organization will work with stakeholders to find the optimal schedule.
Human Rights Debate
Furthermore, a World Cup in Saudi Arabia has ignited debate over the Kingdom’s human rights record. Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have urged FIFA to halt the process unless Saudi Arabia implements significant reforms. Critics accuse the country of using its investments in sports to “sportswash” its human rights record.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia denies these allegations. The Kingdom claims its laws are designed to protect national security. Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia’s bid, stated that the country has made significant progress in improving human rights.