Saudi Arabia Named Official Host of 2034 FIFA World Cup

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating virtual worlds and real-life stadiums alike, I must say that the news of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup is an intriguing development. The prospect of witnessing football’s grandest stage in a new, exotic location stirs excitement within me.

It’s now confirmed that Saudi Arabia will stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This announcement follows the decision for the 2030 tournament to be shared among Morocco, Portugal, Spain, plus three other South American nations, where a few special matches will take place.

According to ESPN’s report, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed the decision following a virtual meeting. For both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, only one bid was submitted by each country, and these bids were approved with applause from over 200 FIFA member federations. In a statement about the 2030 World Cup, Infantino expressed, “We’re taking football to new countries without weakening its quality. Instead, it provides more opportunities.” He added that the congress’s vote was unequivocal.

Regarding the 2034 tournament, Saudi Arabia was the sole contender who submitted a bid. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, head of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed that this is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, fulfilling the dreams of its 32 million sports enthusiasts. The Kingdom is undergoing an extraordinary transformation guided by Vision 2030, and today’s bid announcement marks another major stride towards our aspirations, showcasing our advancements while anticipating an even more prosperous tomorrow.

2030 marks the centennial anniversary of the World Cup, and it will be held across six countries on three continents. Each of Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina will host one match to kick off the tournament, with the opening game taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital city. FIFA president Infantino expressed his excitement for this global event, stating that “It couldn’t be more fitting to celebrate 100 years of the World Cup by hosting it in six countries across three continents, featuring 48 teams and 104 thrilling matches.” He also extended his gratitude to all bidders for their impressive submissions, but particularly acknowledged the six confederation presidents and their respective teams for their hard work.

The news of Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup has garnered some backlash from human rights organizations including Amnesty International, migrant workers’ groups from Nepal and Kenya and international trade unions. Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of labor rights and sport stated, “FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk.” Despite this, the country vehemently denies any accusations of human rights abuses and claims it protects its national security through its laws.

In 2034, Saudi Arabia will be the venue for the FIFA World Cup – a momentous occasion that brings together football fans across the globe. Join us in celebrating this exciting time with the hashtags #Saudi34 #GrowingTogether #WelcomeToSaudi34!

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) December 11, 2024

Welcome to Saudi 🇸🇦#GrowingTogether#WelcomeToSaudi34

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) December 11, 2024

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2024-12-12 10:56