FIFA has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s World Cup, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly organize the 2030 edition. The decision was confirmed at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress, attended by all 211 member associations via video link.
Centennial matches in South America for 2030
The 2030 tournament will also feature matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honor the 100th anniversary of the competition, which first took place in 1930. This historic gesture was approved through a voting process where member associations unanimously clapped via video to confirm their agreement.
FIFA clarified that the centennial matches and main hosting responsibilities were approved through two separate votes. The first vote designated Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay as hosts of the celebratory matches. The second vote confirmed the selection of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as joint hosts and awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup.
Support and concerns
The English Football Association (FA) expressed support for both successful bids, with assurances that fans’ safety and inclusivity would be prioritized. Scotland and Wales also backed the selections.
Norway chose to abstain from voting, citing dissatisfaction with the bidding process rather than the selection of Saudi Arabia. The Swiss FA approved Saudi Arabia’s bid but insisted that human rights conditions be monitored in collaboration with the International Labour Organization. Denmark echoed similar concerns, urging FIFA to oversee improvements in these areas.
Jesper Møller, chair of Denmark’s Football Union, voiced disappointment over the limited number of bids, calling for a more competitive and transparent process.
Criticism of Saudi Arabia’s role
Saudi Arabia’s hosting rights for 2034 have sparked debates, with accusations of the country leveraging substantial investment in sports to enhance its international image despite concerns over human rights and environmental policies.
Of the 15 stadiums proposed for the 2034 tournament, only four have been constructed so far, leaving significant development work ahead.
While the decisions have drawn global reactions, FIFA’s leadership emphasized the bids’ technical merits and alignment with hosting criteria as decisive factors.
