Sydney, Nov 1: Football Australia announced that it will not bid for the 2034 FIFA Men’s Football World Cup. Football Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup has cleared the way for Saudi Arabia to host it. Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has been backed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is successfully hosted by Australia. When Australia’s chances of hosting the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2034 were looking slim, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) backed Saudi Arabia in its bid to host it. On October 5, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) supported Saudi Arabia’s bid.
Earlier this month FIFA invited bids from the Asia and Oceania regions. So that confederation rotation can take place and the best possible hosting position for the World Cup can be achieved.
World Cup 2026 will be hosted by Mexico, America, and Canada. The World Cup 2030 tournament will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Matches of this World Cup tournament will also be held in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Regarding the 2034 World Cup, FIFA had said that it will be organized in Asia or Oceania. Only the Australian bid was considered a challenge to Saudi Arabia. Because Football Australia announced its intention to bid immediately after FIFA’s decision.
🚨🌏 OFFICIAL: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. 🇸🇦
“Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”.
“Different cultures can be together”. pic.twitter.com/ScNJqPzPf7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia was given its support by the Asian Football Confederation. But Saudi Arabia is seen as a controversial host. Saudi Arabia is facing criticism for human rights violations such as violation of women’s rights, ban on free speech, execution of 81 men in one day last year, criminalization of homosexuality, war in Yemen etc. Regarding the Saudi government, human rights campaigners say that by using sports, the Saudi government is trying to enhance its prestige and is trying to overcome the criticism that it is facing by accusing it of human rights violations. . This process is known as ‘sportswashing’.
Qatar’s stance on homosexual relationships and its treatment of migrant workers during its run-up to hosting the 2022 World Cup has been criticized. Due to extreme heat in summer, it has been decided to organize the 2034 FIFA World Cup in winter.
Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has hosted several major sporting events such as golf, boxing, football and Formula 1. Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal said the bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup is “a natural and important step in our journey as a country passionate about football.”
