Saudi Arabia has officially secured the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The decision, announced during Wednesday’s FIFA meeting in Zurich, was finalized without competition or a vote, as no other country submitted a bid.
With this selection, the Middle East will host the world’s biggest football event for the second time, following Qatar’s successful hosting of the tournament in 2022.
While Saudi Arabia received strong backing from countries such as the United Kingdom, the decision has sparked mixed reactions. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have criticized the choice due to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record and discriminatory laws. On the other hand, Germany has supported the hosting bid, citing potential diplomatic opportunities.
Saudi Arabia, which has made headlines in recent years for its significant investments in sports, including signing global football stars to its domestic league, has promised to make the 2034 World Cup one of the most memorable sporting events in history.
Can Saudi Arabia meet these expectations and carve a new chapter in football history? Time will tell.
