Cristiano Ronaldo becoming a star player in the Saudi Pro League isn’t the first hint
For those who’ve been keeping an eye on Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning role in the sports universe, the notion that it will host the 2034 World Cup is hardly jaw-dropping. The nation’s substantial financial injections into various sports—from upending the golf world with its audacious LIV Series to seizing a dominant role in hosting premier boxing events—telegraphed this ambition.
Yet, despite Saudi Arabia’s colossal aspirations in sports, the confirmation of a World Cup on its soil still comes as a jolt for many.
The impending event, slated to happen 11 years from now, could potentially stir more controversy than Qatar’s recent turn as a host. Concerns range from human rights abuses and a questionable FIFA bidding procedure to disruptions in the typical football calendar and risks to players from the likely winter scheduling of the tournament.
With a pumped-up roster of 48 participating teams, the upheaval could surpass that experienced during the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Add to this the mammoth task of building substantial infrastructure, and you have an eco-anxiety dream.
Detractors are quick to label this as the pinnacle of ‘sportswashing,’ a form of soft diplomacy, by the world’s top oil exporter. This is a nation already in the hot seat for issues related to women’s rights, criminalizing homosexuality, stifling free speech, retaining the death penalty, its involvement in Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, and questions surrounding its part in the Yemen conflict.
Saudi authorities, on the other hand, reject such claims. They argue that the World Cup bid aligns with their modernization plans, aims to engage a youthful audience, boost tourism, diversify the economy in a post-oil era, and foster unity. They point to strides in women’s soccer and their track record in hosting various international sports events as evidence.
Regardless of Saudi Arabia’s ultimate agenda, the spotlight will now intensify on FIFA’s selection mechanisms. Questions are already swirling about the lack of transparency and accountability, especially given Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for the 2034 event.
It all kicked off when FIFA unexpectedly expedited the 2034 bidding process, restricting it to Asia and Oceania, and setting an unusually brief 26-day deadline for submissions. This came hot on the heels of FIFA’s approval for a tri-continental host for the 2030 tournament—essentially disqualifying Europe, Africa, and South America from the 2034 run.
Almost in cue, Saudi Arabia announced its bid, and the Asian Football Confederation promptly backed them. Shortly thereafter, FIFA eased construction prerequisites for new stadiums, tipping the scales further in favor of the Saudis. Australia’s subsequent withdrawal from the bidding race only cemented suspicions of the Saudis’ inevitable victory.
If FIFA had conducted a press conference, they might’ve argued that this ‘coronation-style’ selection deters the longstanding issues of vote-swapping and bribery that plagued previous multi-nation contests.
Nevertheless, stakeholders from the World Leagues Forum to Human Rights Watch have denounced FIFA’s opaque operations and alleged neglect of its own human rights benchmarks.
FIFA remains tight-lipped, maintaining behind closed doors that human rights are a cornerstone of their selection process. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia becomes the latest in a line of contentious hosts for major sports events, underscoring the Middle East’s accelerating influence in global sports.
The Saudi regime will likely keep deflecting criticism by drawing parallels with the successful Qatari World Cup and pointing to their many Western trading partners. Yet many will continue to argue that the media limelight could speed up much-needed reforms, as recently suggested by footballer Jordan Henderson in defense of his move to the Saudi Pro League.
However, numerous voices will contest that this optimism is misplaced, fearing that the Saudi 2034 World Cup will further marginalize human rights and fan preferences in the grand scheme of global sports events.
As we countdown to 2034, Saudi authorities and FIFA will have their work cut out for them in convincing skeptics. One thing is for sure, though: the scrutiny isn’t going away anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup
What is the main focus of the article?
The article focuses on Saudi Arabia’s upcoming hosting of the 2034 World Cup, discussing why this decision is not surprising given the country’s growing influence and investment in international sports. It also addresses the various controversies and concerns tied to Saudi Arabia hosting the event.
Why might some people be surprised by Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup?
While Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in international sports, the notion of a World Cup in the country may still come as a surprise to many. The article touches on issues such as human rights abuses, disruptions to the usual football calendar, and potential risks to player welfare, particularly if the event is held during winter.
What are some of the controversies mentioned?
Some of the controversies include concerns over human rights abuses like the criminalization of homosexuality, restrictions on free speech, and issues related to women’s rights. There’s also mention of FIFA’s questionable bidding process and allegations of sportswashing by Saudi Arabia to improve its global image.
What has Saudi Arabia said in defense of their bid?
Saudi authorities have countered the criticisms by saying that their World Cup bid is part of broader modernization plans. They argue that it aims to engage a youthful audience, boost tourism, diversify the economy in a post-oil era, and foster national unity. They also point to their strides in women’s football and their record in hosting various international sports events.
How did FIFA’s bidding process contribute to the controversy?
FIFA expedited the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup and restricted it to Asia and Oceania, giving only 26 days for bid submissions. This raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the selection process, especially given that Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder for the event.
What is the stance of organizations like Human Rights Watch on this matter?
Human Rights Watch has accused FIFA of ignoring its own human rights guidelines, stating that awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia exposes FIFA’s commitments to human rights as a sham.
Is Saudi Arabia the first Middle Eastern country to host a World Cup?
No, Qatar hosted the World Cup in 2022, making Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern country to host this prestigious event.
Does the article offer any insights into how the media and global exposure might affect Saudi Arabia?
Yes, the article suggests that the intense media focus leading up to the World Cup could potentially expedite reforms within the country, though this view is seen by many as overly optimistic.
More about Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup
- Saudi Arabia’s Growing Sports Influence
- Qatar 2022 World Cup: A Look Back
- FIFA’s Bidding Process Explained
- Human Rights Watch Report on Saudi Arabia
- Sportswashing: What You Need to Know
- FIFA and Human Rights: A Troubled Relationship
- The State of Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia
- The World Leagues Forum and Its Concerns
- Football Calendar Changes and Their Global Impact
- Controversial Sporting Events and Their Host Countries
10 comments
Look I love football, but all this talk about sportswashing kinda sours the mood. Feels like the game’s being used for the wrong reasons.
Football, boxing, golf. What’s next? eSports? Saudi’s going all out, man.
Whoa, Saudi hosting the World Cup? That’s huge. But with their track record, should we even be surprised? They’ve been pumping money into sports like there’s no tomorrow.
Another winter World Cup? Really messing with tradition there. The calendar’s gonna be in shambles.
honestly i’m more interested in how this will affect movies set in the Middle East. Like, will we see more sports dramas set in Saudi now? just wondering…
Human rights watch throwing shade at FIFA. Bout time someone called them out.
Nobody’s talking about the environmental impact of all this? With a 48-team format, the carbon footprint’s gonna be massive. Just sayin.
So they mention women’s football in Saudi improving, but what about the overall state of women’s rights there? Seems like a disconnect if you ask me.
What bugs me is that FIFA seems to be sweeping human rights issues under the rug. Hosting a major event like this should come with some moral responsibility, shouldn’t it?
Saudi Arabia’s getting a lot of flak, but let’s be real. FIFA’s whole bidding process is sketchy as heck. Transparency? What’s that?