Saudi Arabia confirmed as host for 2034 Men’s World Cup

FIFA has announced Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 Men's World Cup, following Australia's withdrawal. The country's human rights record has raised concerns, with international correspondent Adam Gilchrist expressing concerns about transparency. The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, while the 2030 edition will feature Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

Zor

November 2, 2023

In recent FIFA developments, it has been officially announced that Saudi Arabia will be the host nation for the 2034 Men’s World Cup. This revelation comes after Australia abruptly withdrew its bid just hours before the application deadline. The sole candidacy of Saudi Arabia has raised concerns and debates due to its track record of human rights violations.

Foreign correspondent Adam Gilchrist voiced the reservations surrounding this selection. Hosting a prestigious event like the World Cup in a country with a questionable human rights record has become a recurring issue with events like the Olympics taking place in Qatar, Russia, and China. Gilchrist emphasized the lack of transparency in these dealings, which has cast a shadow over the decision.

It’s noteworthy that the 2026 World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As for the 2030 edition, the contenders currently include Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with some matches scheduled in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Saudi Arabia was left as a shoo-in to host the men’s 2034 World Cup after Australia confirmed it would not make a bid for soccer’s global showpiece on deadline day https://t.co/t1SzsRh6dm pic.twitter.com/f4RaA0yRH9

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 31, 2023