Global Sport, Local Tensions Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034

In a historic moment for global football atter Months of speculation about the World Cup 2034 host were put to rest when FIFA awarded the tournament to Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the kingdom will stage this prestigious international sporting event and the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament in 2034, 12 years after neighbours Qatar staged the 2022 edition.

Saudi sports minister celebrates.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa (L) and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports and Youth Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal al-Saud celebrated in Riyadh on December 11, 2024, after FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup.

The 2034 World Cup will span five major Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom. In an ambitious infrastructure plan, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation will utilize 15 stadiums, with 11 entirely new venues constructed specifically for the tournament and Saudi Arabia will see the first-ever 48-team tournament in a single host country.

Bidding Process

The tournament’s selection process was notably distinctive. With eligibility limited to countries from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), Saudi Arabia effectively became the sole bidder after Australia withdrew its interest. This lack of competition immediately sparked debates about the selection’s transparency and fairness.

FIFA’s evaluation criteria considered infrastructure readiness, commercial potential, and adherence to legal and sustainability standards. While acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s commitments to human rights reforms, the organization also recognized significant remaining gaps.

Challenges and Controversies

The decision has not been without substantial criticism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised serious concerns about multiple aspects of the tournament:

1. Migrant Worker Rights
With approximately 13 million migrant workers already employed under challenging conditions, there are significant apprehensions about worker treatment during stadium and infrastructure construction. Memories of Qatar’s World Cup, which exposed severe labor abuses, loom large in these discussions.

2. Discrimination and Repression
Saudi Arabia’s legal framework continues to face international scrutiny, particularly regarding restrictions on women’s rights and criminalization of LGBTQIA+ identities. Advocacy groups warn that the World Cup might inadvertently spotlight these systemic issues rather than ameliorate them.

3. Infrastructure Challenges
The kingdom’s plan to construct 11 new stadiums and develop extensive transportation networks, including high-speed rail and airport expansions, is undeniably ambitious. However, questions persist about meeting construction timelines without compromising safety or quality.

Fan Experience: Logistical and Cultural DifficultiesPerhaps one of the most distinctive challenges will be managing international fans’ expectations, particularly regarding alcohol consumption. Saudi Arabia’s strict prohibition on alcohol presents a unique scenario for a global sporting event traditionally associated with fan revelry.

People are speculating about potential limited alcohol sales in designated areas like hotels and fan zones, but the kingdom has not changed its fundamental legal framework. Fans will need to navigate a cultural landscape that demands strict adherence to local customs, with potential severe penalties for non-compliance.

International Perception and “Sportswashing”

Many observers view the World Cup as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of “sportswashing” – using high-profile sporting events to redirect global attention from domestic human rights issues. The kingdom aims to reshape its international image through the tournament, but global media and human rights organizations plan to scrutinize its actions closely. Sports News

FIFA’s Role and Responsibility
The selection has also prompted critical examination of FIFA’s commitment to its own ethical standards. By awarding the tournament to a country with a controversial human rights record, the organization exposes itself to potential reputational damage if significant abuses emerge during the event

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has committed to make major infrastructure upgrades in order to facilitate the competition. To improve fan transportation between the five host cities, these include implementing high-speed rail networks and increasing airport capabilities.

Digital football stadium impression in Saudi Arabia. Global Sport

A digital rendering of the proposed 92,000 seat King Salman Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is planned to hold the opening and closing matches of the 2034 FIFA World Cup [Populous via Getty Images]

The 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia is a tangled story with ongoing human rights discussions, geopolitical viewpoint, and athletic aspirations. Observers will surely view the tournament through a variety of prisms—cultural, political, and ethical—even as the kingdom presents an opportunity for an unparalleled worldwide athletic spectacle.

The world will be closely following the preparations throughout the course of the next ten years, not only to see football’s greatest tournament but also to see how Saudi Arabia handles the many difficulties associated with hosting an event that is genuinely international in scope.

Share This Post: