What's happened
FIFA is set to announce the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, with Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate for 2034. The process has raised concerns over transparency and human rights, particularly regarding the treatment of workers in the kingdom. The decision is expected to be made during a FIFA Council meeting today.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Miguel Delaney in The Independent, FIFA's decision-making process for the World Cups has been criticized for its lack of transparency, with Norwegian federation head Lise Klaveness expressing concerns about the acclamations being bundled together. Delaney highlights that the Saudi bid has received a record-high score despite ongoing human rights issues. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post emphasizes the environmental impact of the tournaments, noting that the geographic spread could lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Experts like Guillaume Gouze have called FIFA's plans an 'ecological aberration,' urging the organization to consider climate concerns more seriously.
How we got here
The FIFA Council previously awarded the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with matches in South America to celebrate the tournament's centenary. This decision effectively eliminated South America and Europe from hosting 2034 due to FIFA's rotation rules, paving the way for Saudi Arabia's bid.
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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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