Saudi Arabia secures hosting rights for the 2034 tournament, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with centenary matches in South America.
FIFA has officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 men’s football World Cup. The announcement was made during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday, where the hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments were finalised.
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with three matches held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the competition’s centenary. These decisions followed votes conducted among FIFA’s 211 member nations, with approvals marked by acclamation over video link.
For the 2034 tournament, Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole candidate after Australia withdrew its bid. The English Football Association, along with the Scottish and Welsh FAs, endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid, citing assurances regarding fan safety and inclusivity. England’s FA stated, “After a careful review, we supported the bids from Spain/Portugal/Morocco and Saudi Arabia, both of which meet FIFA’s hosting criteria.”
However, the process faced some criticism. Norway abstained from the vote, raising concerns about the bidding procedures, while Switzerland requested its observations be included in the congress minutes.
This marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, which has been expanding its influence in global sports. The 2034 World Cup will be a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at diversifying its economy and enhancing its global profile.
The 2030 tournament will be historic, with matches played across six nations and three continents for the first time, reflecting FIFA’s commitment to celebrating the centenary of its flagship event.
