Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup in men’s football, as officially announced on Wednesday by FIFA.
The Saudi proposal was the sole submission and received enthusiastic support from over 200 FIFA member federations.
These federations participated remotely in an online meeting convened in Zurich by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
This decision coincided with the approval of the only bid for the 2030 World Cup, which will see Spain, Portugal, and Morocco co-hosting the tournament as part of a six-nation initiative, while Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will each host one of the 104 matches.
“The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support.
The South American link will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Uruguay’s hosting of the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
The decisions conclude a largely unclear 15-month bidding process that Infantino guided towards Saudi Arabia, devoid of any competing candidates, and without engaging in a question-and-answer session. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns that this will jeopardize the safety of migrant workers.
FIFA and Saudi representatives have asserted that hosting the 2034 tournament could promote progress, including enhanced freedoms and rights for women. Infantino stated on Wednesday that the World Cup serves as a “unique catalyst for positive social change and unity.”
“I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world’s expectations,” the FIFA president said.