Noa Vahle and Jack van Gelder have taken aim at the ambitious plans for stadiums being constructed for the upcoming 2034 World Cup, set to take place in Saudi Arabia. On the popular television program "De Oranjewinter," the two commentators expressed their dismay, arguing the futuristic concepts for the new stadiums bear little resemblance to the traditional game of football.
"It is total madness. It’s all about the money, so we’re going there," van Gelder exclaimed, reflecting on the distorted motivations behind Saudi Arabia's bid for the World Cup. He argued the choice of host is driven by image enhancement rather than sports integrity, lamenting the situation as troubling. "They are creating venues for countries with known controversies," he added.
Vahle, echoing van Gelder's sentiments, showed images of the proposed stadiums, questioning their authenticity to the essence of football itself. "But you don’t even see this in FIFA," she pointed out, referring to the popular football simulation game now known as EA Sports FC. "It’s almost futuristic. It hardly has anything to do with football – what are we even looking at?" Such comments highlight the growing discord between commercialism and the sport’s values.
Adding another layer to their critique, van Gelder recalled the contentious 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, where extraordinary stadiums were built with promises of dismantling and relocating them to Africa. "Great stadiums, and they would then be taken apart and moved to Africa," he remembered, hinting at the unrealized ambitions from the previous event.
Concern extends beyond the architectural ambitions. Organizations like Amnesty International and the Sports & Rights Alliance have criticized the upcoming World Cup for its potential to unfairly impact fans and residents of Saudi Arabia. They reported, "Fans will be discriminated against, residents will be forcibly removed from their homes, migrant workers will be exploited, and many will die." This stark warning outlines the human rights dilemmas interwoven with high-stakes sporting events.
Despite the concerns raised, the promise of significant financial investment appears to overshadow ethical discussions surrounding the World Cup. The situation raises urgent questions about the game's future, particularly as it increasingly intertwines with global politics and economics. With ambitions set high, many worry the essence of football is slowly being traded for commercial gain.
Through their commentary, Vahle and van Gelder invoke curiosity and indignation, urging viewers to reflect on what this means for the sport moving forward. The need for accountability and ethical standards has never been more pertinent as fans enter this new era of football shaped by money and image.