Some against 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia
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A speech by Fifa president Gianni Infantino is broadcasted on a screen during a ceremony in Riyadh, on Dec 11.
PHOTO: AFP
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LAUSANNE – Saudi Arabia will host the men’s World Cup in 2034, while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world football’s governing body Fifa confirmed on Dec 11.
The decision was announced by Fifa president Gianni Infantino following a virtual extraordinary Congress. The 2030 and 2034 World Cups each had only a single bid, and both were confirmed by acclamation – clapping in front of their cameras via their video links.
“We are bringing football to more countries and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It actually enhanced the opportunity,” Infantino said about the 2030 World Cup.
The combined proposal from Morocco, Spain and Portugal will see the 2030 edition take place across three continents and six nations, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting celebratory games to mark the tournament’s centenary.
Uruguay held the first World Cup in 1930, while Argentina and Spain have also staged the tournament. Portugal, Paraguay and Morocco will all be first-time hosts.
Four years later, Saudi Arabia will become the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament, 12 years after neighbours Qatar staged the 2022 edition.
In 2023, Fifa said that the 2034 World Cup would be held in the Asia or Oceania region, with the Asian Football Confederation throwing its support behind the Saudi bid. Australia and Indonesia had also been in talks over a joint bid, but dropped out.
Fifa announced that both bids would be uncontested in 2023, leaving little room for doubt.
On Dec 10, the Norwegian Football Federation said it would vote against the awarding of hosting rights by acclamation and criticised Fifa’s bidding process, saying it was “flawed and inconsistent”.
On Dec 11, Amnesty International lashed out at Fifa for awarding Saudi Arabia the World Cup, claiming the move would put lives at risk amid criticism of the country’s human rights record.
“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,” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of labour rights and sport, said in a statement issued by 21 bodies.
Among those who co-signed the statement were Saudi diaspora human rights organisations, migrant workers’ groups from Nepal and Kenya, international trade unions, fans’ representatives and global human rights organisations.
“Based on clear evidence to date, Fifa knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless. The organisation risks bearing a heavy responsibility for many of the human rights abuses that will follow,” Cockburn said.
Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws. REUTERS
