Saudi Arabia Confirmed as 2034 FIFA World Cup Hosts

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. FIFA finalized these decisions during an Extraordinary Congress meeting, attended by representatives from all 211 member associations via video link.

The announcements included a unique nod to the competition’s origins: three matches in 2030 will be held in South America to honor the tournament’s 100-year history, with Uruguay hosting one of the opening games, commemorating its role as the inaugural World Cup host in 1930.

The voting process, conducted by “acclamation” via video, had only one option for each decision. FIFA confirmed that votes were effectively cast beforehand. Despite general agreement, Norway abstained from voting, citing concerns over FIFA’s current bidding process.

Switzerland’s football association also voiced reservations, calling for human rights monitoring in Saudi Arabia and urging FIFA and the International Labour Organization to oversee compliance. Similarly, Denmark supported the bids but criticized the limited number of contenders and called for greater transparency in future selections.

Saudi Arabia’s selection has reignited debates about “sportswashing,” with critics accusing the kingdom of using major sporting events to improve its global reputation amid concerns over human rights and environmental issues.

Currently, only four of the 15 proposed stadiums for the 2034 tournament have been constructed, highlighting the substantial infrastructure development required in the coming decade.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom reassured members that their concerns were noted, stating, “All 211 member associations effectively cast their votes prior to the congress.”