What's happened
On December 11, 2024, FIFA's virtual congress confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup. This decision, made without a formal vote, reflects ongoing concerns about FIFA's governance and the implications of Saudi Arabia's human rights record and economic sustainability.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Aaron Timms in The Guardian, the muted reaction to Saudi Arabia's World Cup hosting announcement reflects a broader unease about the country's human rights record and the sustainability of its sports investments. Timms notes that while the Saudi government is committed to making the event a success, economic challenges loom as oil prices decline and public spending tightens.
Miguel Delaney from The Independent highlights the troubling trend of diminishing democracy within FIFA, where member associations feel compelled to support bids due to political pressures. Delaney emphasizes that the acclamation process for the World Cup hosts mirrors a lack of genuine choice, raising questions about the integrity of FIFA's governance structure. He also points out the growing relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Saudi leadership, suggesting a convergence of interests that may not align with the sport's ethical standards.
How we got here
The decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup follows a lack of competing bids, with the country previously confirmed as host during FIFA's virtual congress. This marks a continuation of FIFA's trend towards centralized decision-making and diminished democratic processes.
Common question
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More on these topics
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FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
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Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom focused on human rights. The organization says it has more than eight million members and supporters around the world.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA. He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.
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Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of