• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Saudi Arabia Primed For 2034 World Cup. Can Australia’s Bid Top It?

  • FIFA will take the 2034 World Cup to an Asian or Oceania country.
  • Saudi Arabia has already announced its intentions to bid for the tournament.
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

We’re still about three years away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but the host nations for the 2030 event have just been set — and there could already be a two-horse race shaping up for 2034.

With Morocco, Portugal, and Spain serving as the primary hosts of the 2030 World Cup — which will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay — FIFA simultaneously invited nations from the Asian and Oceania Football Confederations to bid for 2034.

Saudi Arabia immediately announced its intentions to vie for the 2034 event, and Australia said it is still exploring the possibility before an Oct. 31 deadline. Both nations fall under the Asian Football Confederation, despite Australia’s geographical similarity with many Oceania members. The AFC has already expressed its support for a Saudi Arabian bid, as have several Arab nations.

During the success of this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, both nations expressed the desire to eventually lure a men’s World Cup, too. Saudi Arabia has been trying to gain support from European countries in its efforts to land the 2034 tournament.

Political Concerns?

A World Cup in Saudi Arabia would bring up further discussion of FIFA’s tolerance of human rights violations following complaints surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Saudi Arabia is one of the most criticized nations when it comes to human rights.

The Qatar World Cup also had controversies regarding the host nation bribing FIFA officials for the tournament. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia reportedly offered to pay for new stadiums in Greece and Egypt if they teamed up for a joint World Cup bid.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.

Cleveland’s WNBA Team Follows Golden State’s Proven Blueprint

The franchise will play its first WNBA season in 2028.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
The 153rd Open

Trump Talks Continue, but Turnberry’s Open Return Is Uncertain

Trump Turnberry is still under consideration for future Open Championships.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
July 18, 2025

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
July 18, 2025

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
July 18, 2025

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.
July 18, 2025

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.
Lloyd Howell
July 18, 2025

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.