Saudi Arabia has officially earned the prestigious title of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking a pivotal triumph for the kingdom’s ambitions to transform its global image through major sports events.
On Wednesday, the decision was confirmed, placing the nation center stage as it aims to reshape its persona within the international community. This historic hosting announcement follows the awarding of the 2030 World Cup to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
The specifics surrounding the tournament remain hazy, as many logistical queries linger about the event. Notably, as the kingdom prepares extensively, it has proposed the construction of 15 stadiums spread across five cities, incorporating significant venues like Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Al Khobar, and Neom. Out of the proposed venues, eight are still awaiting design finalization, with the remainder already taking shape.
Among the ambitious stadium projects, the centerpiece is set to be located in Riyadh with the capability to accommodate approximately 92,000 spectators for both the opening match and the closing ceremony. Some innovative stadium concepts have captured attention, such as one elevated 350 meters above ground level and another positioned on top of a 200-meter cliff, both intended to create iconic settings for the tournament.
While the aspiration is to host all 104 matches, speculation exists about the possibility of sharing game hosting responsibilities with neighboring countries. Traditionally, the World Cup occurs during the sweltering summer months of June and July, where temperatures can soar above 40 degrees Celsius. This climate concern mirrors the challenges faced by Qatar during its late 2022 World Cup, where FIFA was compelled to shift the tournament dates to November-December to avoid extreme heat.
The 2034 calendar presents its own hurdles. Notably, the tournament's timing pits it against the holy month of Ramadan, which would extend through mid-December, alongside the multi-sport Asian Games happening concurrently in Riyadh. This complex scheduling may prompt discussions to push the games to January 2034, merely weeks before the Winter Olympics set to take place in Salt Lake City—an idea FIFA and the International Olympic Committee might entertain.
"That's a decision by FIFA. We stand ready to be part of this conversation. But, it's fundamentally up to FIFA and its associated confederations," emphasized Hammad Albalawi, the Saudi World Cup bid official, during an interview with The Associated Press.
Accompanying this sporting spectacle is Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to modernize the country socially and economically. This includes broadening women's rights, with women being allowed to attend sporting events since 2017. By 2034, the expectation is for female fans to experience no restrictions at World Cup matches.
Reflecting this social opening, the kingdom launched its women’s professional soccer league as part of its commitment to sports inclusivity, allowing players to compete without traditional restrictions commonly found within conservative frameworks.
Another significant issue poised to arise is the kingdom's strict prohibition of alcohol. Saudi Arabia's firm stance on alcohol has stirred discussions, particularly after the controversy surrounding Qatar's mixed messages about beverages during its World Cup. Notably, FIFA had partnered with Budweiser as the official sponsor for the 2022 tournament, expecting beer to be available at the stadiums, only to have those plans thwarted three days before kickoff. While options were available for upscale suite guests and select hotel bars, alcohol was mostly off-limits at the event venues.
Albalawi affirmed the country’s commitment to providing safe, family-friendly environments. "We’re creating safe and secure family venues for fans to bring their families to our stadiums," he stated confidently, alluding to their previous fulfillment of hosting prominent sports events without the presence of alcohol.
Human rights remain another contentious point of discussion for the hosting of the World Cup. Although FIFA has endorsed Saudi Arabia’s plans to reform its labor laws, skepticism continues to prevail, particularly from international rights organizations concerning the protection of migrant workers engaged in constructing stadiums and other facilities necessitated for the tournament. Following the spotlight formally placed on Qatar’s labor practices, maintaining vigilance around worker rights is expected to be one of the most significant challenges for Saudi Arabia as the event approaches.
Adding another layer to the complex situation are the shifting geopolitical tides involving Saudi-Israeli relations. With normalization discussions between the two nations progressing, the mood shifted dramatically following the Hamas attack on Israel shortly after FIFA's decision to entrust Saudi Arabia with the 2034 World Cup. The regional tensions point to possible complications relative to the broader Middle East dynamics when welcoming international teams.
Central to FIFA's philosophy is the fundamental principle of inclusivity; any nation’s qualification should be embraced without restrictions. Past instances, such as Indonesia denying Israel access during the Under-20 World Cup due to lack of diplomatic relations, spotlight this principle. The tournament, which would initially have taken place there, was relocated to Argentina, resulting in Israel advancing unexpectedly to the semifinals.
The recent FIFA Congress not only spotlighted Saudi Arabia's successful bid but also confirmed the upcoming 2030 World Cup hosts, spreading the tournament across three continents—spanning multiple countries; Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. With such vast logistics, the historical tournament is set to create unique travel experiences as fans navigate through different currencies, languages, and cultures.
Final match discussions also remain contentious among the host nations, considering Morocco's desire for the showdown to occur at the King Hassan II Stadium and Spain's push for its prestigious venues of either Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu or Barcelona’s Camp Nou. Given the multitude of stakeholders involved, these decisions could potentially lead to tensions.
While the 2034 World Cup transitions from concept to reality, the preparations intertwine with Saudi Arabia's vision for its future—transforming its global narrative through sports, broadening opportunities, and bridging cultural divides. Only time will reveal whether this ambitious undertaking aligns seamlessly with the intended goals and expectations set forth by FIFA, stakeholders, and the global football community.
