Latest News
FIFA has confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The world football governing body announced at an online FIFA Congress on Wednesday.
The Middle Eastern country submitted the sole bid for the competition and got the nods of 200 FIFA member federations in the virtual event.
“The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, said.
Saudi Arabia’s bid has attracted criticism since the country tabled the proposal in 2023. Some of the critics referenced the country’s human and women’s rights history.
However, FIFA’s bid evaluation team deemed Saudi’s human rights concerns only “medium risk”.
FIFA also ratified the decision to hold the 2030 World Cup across six countries on three continents.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are the joint hosts of the competition. In commemoration of the World Cup’s centenary, the opening three matches will take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The World Cup was first held in 1930 and hosted by Uruguay.
FIFA had announced the numerous hosts of the event at the Congress in 2023.