By Pablo López
FIFA has officially announced the allocation of the host cities for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, confirming the joint organization of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with inaugural matches in South America for the tournament's centenary, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 edition.
Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 World Cup by acclamation FIFA has officially awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup.
Despite criticism over human rights issues and the logistical challenges of bringing the tournament to the Middle East, the Saudi bid was the only one submitted, leading to its unanimous approval. FIFA highlighted Saudi Arabia's "unique ambition" and its ability to drive reforms, but also underlined certain concerns.
These include stadium construction, a lack of transport and accommodation infrastructure, and the high temperatures that will necessitate playing in November and December, as was the case with the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Monumental infrastructure and futuristic projects Saudi Arabia will spare no expense to deliver what it hopes will be "the best World Cup ever."
With an almost limitless budget and a vision focused on innovation, the country is projecting stadiums and cities that will redefine the standards of international sporting events. Among the standout projects is the megacity NEOM, which will feature a stadium embedded in a 350-meter-high cliff, surrounded by a futuristic glass wall.
In Qiddiya, near Riyadh, a stadium will be built as the new home of the Al Nassr team, with a unique design that includes an underground lake and a rainwater-based cooling system. The plan includes five main host cities:
Riyadh Jeddah NEOM Abha Al Khobar In total, 15 stadiums will be built or renovated, eight of which will be in Riyadh. These infrastructures aim to position themselves as "the best stadiums ever built."
Following the bidding process, it has been officially announced that Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be the hosts of the 2030 World Cup. This will be the second World Cup that Spain has organized, 48 years after hosting the tournament in 1982. In that tournament, Italy was crowned champion by defeating Germany 3-1 in the final played at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The 2030 World Cup will have a unique format, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup held in 1930. In the event's presentation, figures such as Luis Figo (Portugal), Fernando Llorente (Spain), and Naybet (Morocco) participated in a promotional video that highlighted the tournament's global nature.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is advancing its candidacy as the sole host for 2034, a proposal that contrasts with recent editions and emphasizes a centralized format.
Saudi Arabia's official bid to host the 2034 World Cup has generated significant excitement in the sports world. During a presentation that highlighted its commitment to hosting the event, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Sports Minister, detailed the country's goals for hosting such a major event.
The proposal includes an unprecedented format: a 48-team tournament organized exclusively in a single country. This approach marks a departure from the 2026 and 2030 editions, where multiple nations will share the logistical responsibilities.
With a history of recent successes, such as its memorable victory over Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Saudi Arabia seeks to solidify its position as a key player in the world of football, while using the competition to showcase its advancements in infrastructure and development.
While South America won't be the sole host of the World Cup, CONMEBOL representatives celebrated the inclusion of Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay in the opening events. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez thanked FIFA for recognizing the historical significance of the centenary.
However, Chile's exclusion has caused unrest in the region. The president of the Chilean National Professional Football Association, Pablo Milad, expressed his dissatisfaction, attributing the decision to FIFA's desire to balance the host countries between Europe, Africa, and South America. For his part, Chilean President Gabriel Boric criticized the lack of seriousness in the selection process.
The 2030 World Cup will mark a milestone in football history, being the first to be held across six countries and three different continents. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will have the honor of inaugurating the tournament, with a standout match at the historic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo before the competition moves to Europe and Africa.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted that this decision aims to honor the tournament's centenary, promoting a "global footprint" that unites football fans across three continents. However, the logistical and environmental implications have generated controversy.
Implications and Challenges of FIFA's Designations The announcement of the host nations for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups reflects FIFA's interest in expanding the global reach of football, but it also highlights significant challenges:
Saudi Arabia, the sole candidate for 2034, has been selected as the host under the principle of continental rotation. Although it currently has only two of the 14 stadiums required by FIFA, a massive investment in infrastructure is expected to meet the demands.
The extreme summer climate in Saudi Arabia could force FIFA to schedule the tournament in winter, as was the case with Qatar 2022. However, the potential overlap with Ramadan, which begins on December 26, 2034, adds another logistical challenge.
Criticism has been swift. Organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns about the rights of migrant workers and discrimination against international fans. These same concerns have also been directed at the 2030 bid, demanding concrete measures to protect players, fans, and local communities.
The decision, although expected, has generated multiple reactions due to its logistical, political, and human rights implications.
The 2030 edition will be the first to include three continents as hosts of the tournament. The first three matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup held in Montevideo in 1930. Subsequently, the tournament will move to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, where the remaining matches will be played.
With 11 stadiums in Spain, the Iberian Peninsula will lead the organization. Portugal will contribute its two main venues in Lisbon and Porto, while Morocco plans to build the Hassan II Stadium, which could become the largest stadium in the world with a capacity of 115,000 spectators. However, it is still to be determined which country will host the opening match and the grand final.
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