What an exciting development in the world of football! FIFA President Gianni Infantino has just made it official: Saudi Arabia is going to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This news came shortly after Australia’s soccer federation revealed that they wouldn’t be bidding to host the tournament, leaving Saudi Arabia as the lone contender in the race.
This is a significant decision following the recent announcement that the 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Interestingly, the first three games of that tournament will take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, marking the World Cup’s centennial celebration, as the inaugural event was held in Uruguay back in 1930.
Looking back, the 2026 World Cup will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and will include an expanded 48-team format, a departure from the previous 32-team setup that lasted from 1998 to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gianni Infantino highlighted the global appeal of these decisions, emphasizing that the World Cup is a showcase of unity and inclusion. In an increasingly divided world, the FIFA World Cup remains a powerful force for bringing people together and fostering understanding among diverse cultures.
The decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup wasn’t without its share of controversy. FIFA traditionally rotates the tournament between its six regional confederations, and South America was initially expected to host the centennial event. However, a joint bid by Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay didn’t come through. South America’s eligibility was further complicated because of the three first-round games scheduled for the region in the 2030 edition.
With Africa, Europe, and North America ruled out as recent hosts, the pool of potential host nations was limited to countries from the Asian and Oceania regions. Given the tight 25-day window provided by FIFA for nations to submit their bids, Australia eventually decided not to compete, paving the way for Saudi Arabia’s successful bid.
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s triumph in hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup is set to bring another thrilling edition of the tournament to the football-loving world. This decision shows that football continues to be a unifying global sport that transcends divisions and brings people together in a time when unity and togetherness are more important than ever.
