ZURICH (AP) – Saudi Arabia was officially approved by FIFA on Wednesday to host the 2034 men’s soccer World Cup, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize ever. Huge spending on global sports The driver is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia’s bid was the only one in the running and was applauded by more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted by Football Association President Gianni Infantino in Zurich.
“The vote in Congress is loud and clear,” Infantino said, asking on-screen officials to clap their hands at head level to show their support.
This decision was coupled with the approval of the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will jointly host the tournament, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each playing one of the 104 matches.
Associated Press correspondent Karen Chamath reports on which country will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The South American connection will mark the 100th anniversary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930.
The decision completes a largely opaque 15-month bidding process in which Mr. Infantino helped steer Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate and without taking questions. Human rights groups warn It will put the lives of migrant workers at risk.
“We look forward to hosting an unprecedented and exceptional FIFA World Cup, leveraging our country’s strengths and capabilities and bringing joy to football fans around the world,” Prince Mohammed said in a statement. .
FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament could accelerate change, including greater freedoms and rights for women, and Infantino on Wednesday called the World Cup a “positive social movement.” “A unique catalyst for change and unity.”
“I have full confidence in the host nation to address all outstanding points in this process and deliver a World Cup that lives up to the world’s expectations,” the FIFA president said.
International rights groups say FIFA has made a “reckless decision” to recognize Saudi Arabia without public guarantees. This was announced by the Soccer Supporters Europe organization. That was “the day football really went insane.”
a Fast route to victory Last year, FIFA approved the tri-continent plan. 2030 world cup. This means only football federations from Asia and Oceania will be eligible to take part in the 2034 competition, with FIFA giving countries four weeks to declare their bids. Only Saudi Arabia did so.
Victory begins 10 years of scrutiny Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers Ahead of the 104-match tournament, participants, mostly from South Asia, were required to help build and renovate 15 stadiums, hotels and transport links.
Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represented a “moment of great danger” for human rights.
Steve Cockburn, head of labor rights and sport at Amnesty International, said: “FIFA’s reckless decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup without ensuring adequate human rights protections You will be putting your life at risk.”
One of the stadiums is planned 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom (a futuristic city that does not yet exist). The other was named after the Crown Prince. It is designed on a 200 meter cliff near Riyadh.
During the bid campaign, FIFA accepted a limited investigation into Saudi Arabia’s extensively scrutinized human rights record. criticized at the United Nations this year.
Saudi Arabia and international rights groups and activists have warned FIFA that it has not learned the lessons of Qatar’s much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup.
“At every stage of this bid process, FIFA has shown that its commitment to human rights is a facade,” Cockburn said.
Saudi Arabia plans to spend tens of billions of dollars on World Cup-related projects as part of the crown prince’s comprehensive Vision 2030 project, which aims to modernize the kingdom’s society and economy. At the heart of this is spending on sports from the $900 billion Public Investment Fund, which he oversees.
“It’s amazing. The infrastructure, the stadium, the condition of the fans, everything. After what I’ve seen so far, I’m convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever,” Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recording package posted on X He spoke at
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is part of Saudi Arabia’s lavish spending on football and the deal stunned the sporting world. Signs with Al Nasr in 2022 Reportedly, he will be paid a record-breaking salary worth up to $200 million a year.
Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of “sportswashing” the kingdom’s reputation.
Prince, known as MBS, has had a close working relationship with Infantino since 2017, and rather than going head-to-head with an established system as was the case with Infantino, the prince has been involved in the sport’s most high-profile events. We are collaborating with the organizers of Disruptive LIV Golf Project.
Saudi Arabia and FIFA results are on track for a win on Wednesday. limited backlash There were opinions from people involved in soccer, but also from female international players.
The flow of Saudi cash into international football will continue to steadily increase.
FIFA has created a new, higher-level World Cup sponsorship category. National oil company AramcoAnd Saudi funds will underwrite this insurance. 2025 Club World Cup In the United States, this is an important project for Infantino.
North American soccer organization CONCACAF has signed a multi-year agreement with PIF, Saudi stadiums will host Super Cup matches between Italy and Spain, and around 50 FIFA member federations have signed cooperation agreements with Saudi member federations. .
extravagant spending by Saudi club owned by PIF Purchased and paid players in the last two years – including Cristiano RonaldoNeymar, Karim Benzema, sadio mane – Pour hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer.
Its influence could be key to negotiations to agree on a month to host the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot that Qatar acquired in 2022 to avoid the mid-summer heat is due to the fact that in 2034, the holy month of Ramadan will run until mid-December, and Riyadh will host the multi-sport Asian Games. It gets complicated.
Still, January 2034 is an option, and probably better, for European clubs and leagues. This was announced by the International Olympic Committee. There were few problems with the conflict with the Salt Lake Winter Games, which begin on February 10, 2034. The IOC also Large-scale commercial transactions with Saudi Arabiato hold a new esports Olympics.
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