Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer by FIFA, marking the first time the oil-rich kingdom will host the prestigious event. The decision was announced during an online meeting hosted by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with over 200 member federations applauding the announcement.
This decision was combined with the approval of the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia is part of the kingdom’s efforts to showcase its capabilities on the global stage and demonstrate its commitment to positive social change and unity through sports.
However, human rights groups have expressed concerns about the impact of hosting the tournament on migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International warned that the decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia without proper human rights protections in place could put lives at risk, particularly for migrant workers involved in building and upgrading stadiums and infrastructure for the event.
Despite these concerns, FIFA and Saudi officials have emphasized the potential for the tournament to accelerate positive change, including greater freedoms and rights for women. The decision to award Saudi Arabia the World Cup signals a significant moment for the kingdom as it looks to showcase its modernization efforts and investment in sports. The event is expected to attract significant attention and investment, with Saudi money already playing a key role in European soccer through player acquisitions and sponsorship deals.
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