Saudi Arabia has secured a significant victory in its efforts to attract major sporting events by being officially appointed as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, announced on Wednesday. However, several key questions remain regarding the tournament, as well as the upcoming 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with three matches taking place in South America.
Key Questions for the 2034 World Cup
Venue Locations
Saudi Arabia has proposed 15 stadiums across five cities, with eight still in the planning stages. The venues include eight in the capital city of Riyadh, four in Jeddah, and one each in Abha, Al Khobar, and Neom, a futuristic mega-project. Each stadium is designed to accommodate at least 40,000 spectators, with the opening match and final scheduled for a 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh. Notable designs include a stadium in Neom set 350 meters above ground and another near Riyadh atop a 200-meter cliff, featuring a retractable wall of LED screens. Although Saudi Arabia aims to host all 104 matches, there is speculation that some could take place in neighboring countries.
Tournament Schedule
The tournament is unlikely to occur during the traditional June-July timeframe due to extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Saudi Arabia. Following the precedent set by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was moved to November-December, scheduling for 2034 is further complicated by the holy month of Ramadan and the Asian Games in Riyadh. January 2034 is a potential option, despite its proximity to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Hammad Albalawi, a Saudi World Cup bid official, stated that the exact dates will be determined by FIFA.
Gender Segregation in Stadiums
As part of its Vision 2030 modernization program, Saudi Arabia has begun allowing women to attend sports events, initially in family zones separate from men. By 2034, it is expected that female fans will have unrestricted access to all areas of stadiums. The kingdom launched a women’s professional soccer league in 2022, allowing female players to compete without restrictions on attire.
Alcohol Policies
Saudi Arabia’s strict prohibition of alcohol poses questions for FIFA regarding potential exceptions for the World Cup. The situation in Qatar highlighted complications surrounding alcohol sales, which were limited to luxury suites and select hotel bars. Albalawi emphasized that Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted numerous sports events without alcohol, aiming to create a safe environment for families.
Workers’ Rights
FIFA has accepted Saudi Arabia’s commitments to reform labor laws and protect migrant workers, though skepticism remains among rights groups. Ensuring the welfare of workers involved in constructing stadiums and infrastructure is a significant challenge for the kingdom, especially following concerns raised during the Qatar World Cup.
Participation of Israel
The potential participation of Israel in the 2034 World Cup raises diplomatic questions, particularly following recent tensions in the region. FIFA’s policy allows any qualifying team to participate, but past instances, such as Indonesia’s barriers for Israel during the Under-20 World Cup, illustrate the complexities involved. Israel has participated in the World Cup before but has struggled to qualify through European tournaments.
Looking Ahead to the 2030 World Cup
While much focus was on Saudi Arabia’s announcement, the FIFA Congress also confirmed the hosts for the 2030 World Cup, which will feature matches across six countries and three continents. The tournament will kick off in June 2023 with games in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, before resuming in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The final is set for July 21, 2030, with Morocco advocating for the event to be held at the proposed 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, while Spain has suggested hosting it in the renovated stadiums of Real Madrid or Barcelona.
As preparations for the 2034 World Cup begin, the Saudi government faces critical questions that will shape the tournament’s legacy and its broader ambitions in the world of sports.
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