• Loading stock data...
Monday, August 11, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

FIFA officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as host for the 2034 World Cup, a formality for the sole bidder.

FIFA
Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

FIFA officially awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup in an uncontested vote Wednesday.

The outcome was expected. Due to FIFA’s rotation policy, only the Asian and Oceania Football confederations were able to host. Australia, New Zealand, and a number of countries in Southeast Asia expressed interest, but only Saudi Arabia submitted a bid. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last year that Saudi Arabia will host the event; the vote at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich was simply a formality.

In addition to geographically restricting hosts, FIFA shortened the bidding process by several years. Saudi Arabia was initially interested in hosting in 2030, and it posted a statement with its intentions for hosting 2034 less than an hour after FIFA released its plans for 2030

The competition will be the 25th men’s World Cup and include 48 teams, an expanded format that will begin in the United States in 2026.

Also Wednesday, FIFA confirmed the 2030 World Cup will span six countries on three continents: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. It will be the first multi-continent World Cup. The first three matches will take place in South America, but Morocco, Portugal, and Spain are the main hosts.

The opening match of the 2030 tournament will occur in Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium, which hosted the World Cup final in 1930, exactly a century ago.

The Norwegian Football Federation criticized the 2030 and 2034 processes earlier this week in a letter to FIFA dated Monday, raising concerns about the “seemingly pre-determined nature of the current bidding process.” NFF is one of several critics of Infantino’s cozy relationship with the Saudis and expedited process for their bid.

Similar to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA’s evaluation report suggests the 2034 World Cup will take place off the usual summer cycle. The Premier League, LaLiga, other domestic leagues, and the players union FIFPRO Europe filed a legal complaint in October to the European Commission protesting FIFA’s influence over the calendar, specifically around the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup.

Like Qatar, FIFA’s 2034 selection heightened human rights concerns, from NFF and others, especially toward the kingdom’s treatment of women, LGBTQ+ people, and other minorities. Leaders of groups of migrant workers have spoken out after an unknown number of deaths building FIFA stadiums in Qatar. Most of the stadiums for the 2034 World Cup will require new construction.

“It’s disheartening, if not surprising, that FIFA has awarded Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Arabia hosting rights for the World Cup based on a heavily flawed bid, which side-stepped engagement with external stakeholders or the Saudi public themselves. Now it’s happened, urgent and sustained action is needed to mitigate the grave risks of labour and civil rights violations associated with the tournament, including by securing major and credible reforms,” Lina Alhathloul, the head of a Saudi human rights organization, said in a statement.

Questions have also arisen over player safety after April’s Saudi Super Cup final when a fan used a whip to strike player Abderrazak Hamdallah.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Son Heung-min Makes MLS Debut After $26M Transfer to Near-Sellout

Son played just four days after LAFC announced his permanent transfer.

Everyone in Sports Wants to Be an Owner

The new brass ring for everyone in sports.
Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
Chad Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Settle $20 Million Defamation Suit 

It’s the second multimillion-dollar lawsuit Sharpe has settled in recent weeks.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
The stands at the Solheim Cup

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.
manfred_at_microphone
August 19, 2021

MLB Owners Propose $100M Salary Floor

Major League Baseball owners have proposed a $100 million payroll minimum for MLB’s 30 teams and a lower luxury tax threshold.