World Web Desik: FIFA has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s football World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Additionally, three matches in the 2030 World Cup will be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the competition’s 100th anniversary.
The decisions were finalized during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday, where all 211 member nations participated via video link. Two separate votes were conducted to confirm the hosts for the tournaments and the centenary celebrations.
- Centenary Matches (2030): Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina were chosen to host the anniversary matches.
- Main Hosts (2030): Spain, Portugal, and Morocco were confirmed as the primary co-hosts for the tournament.
- 2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia was awarded hosting rights.
Voting was conducted by “acclamation,” where members showed their approval by clapping in front of their cameras. Norway abstained from endorsing Saudi Arabia’s selection, citing concerns about the bidding process rather than the country itself. Switzerland requested that its observations be included in the meeting minutes.
Controversy Surrounding the Decisions
The voting process has sparked debate, as there was only one option available for each decision, raising questions about transparency. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s selection has drawn criticism due to allegations of “sportswashing.” The kingdom has been accused of leveraging significant investments in sports to improve its global image amidst concerns over its human rights record and environmental policies.
Infrastructure for 2034
Out of the 15 proposed stadiums for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, only four have been constructed to date. This adds another layer of scrutiny as the country prepares to meet the demands of hosting the global event.
FIFA’s announcements mark a significant milestone in the lead-up to two historic tournaments, each set to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
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