FIFA has confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 men’s football World Cup, following a vote at the governing body’s Extraordinary Congress on Wednesday.
The decision has sparked controversy due to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing accusations of using sports to improve its global image, often referred to as “sportswashing.”
While the vote to award the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia was unanimous, Norway chose to abstain from voting, citing concerns over the bidding process rather than the host nation itself.
Switzerland also requested that their observations on the matter be included in the meeting minutes.
The announcement follows criticism of Saudi Arabia’s significant investment in sports, which some believe is aimed at deflecting attention from its human rights record and environmental impact.
Saudi Arabia has already identified 15 stadiums for the 2034 World Cup, though only four have been completed so far. This marks the country’s latest effort to cement itself as a key player in the global sports arena.
