FIFA has announced the hosts of both the 2030 and the 2034 World Cup. The 2030 edition is about to take place in 3 countries, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The 2034 edition has been assigned to be hosted by Saudi Arabia and that’s where the whole attention is currently. The whole football world especially the west is criticizing this move of FIFA and Gianni Infantino.
Football Fans’ Reaction on the Announcement
In 2002 Japan and South Korea became the first Asian countries to host the FIFA event while Qatar was just the second nation to host the World Cup in Asia. The growth in the craze of football in the continent definitely needed such a big event to boost the process of adaptability. Since then Saudi Arabia has been endeavoring to level up their sports infrastructure and identity in the sporting world which eventually benefits their ‘Vision 2030’.
Although it is a great opportunity for the Asian football fans to accept the event and embrace it, people have some criticisms towards FIFA. An X user says “Highest Bidder. The 2030 world cup will be held in 3 continents just to allow Saudi Arabia to immerse itself into global football.”
The immense censure about this whole drama is mostly on the FIFA president Gianni Infantino. People are not happy with FIFA as they limited the hosting to just Asia and Oceania after deciding the host of the 2030 World Cup across 3 different continents (Africa, Europe and South America). Fans call it “bend of rules” as after hosting one FIFA event at a time the continent becomes ineligible to bid for the next edition.
The 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cup is already assigned to North America and then Europe, South America and Africa respectively. Asia and Oceania became the ultimate candidates to bid for the event and that’s where Saudi Arabia got in. Observers claim it to be a conspiracy by FIFA to pave the way for Saudi to bid and eventually get selected.
Amidst the controversies some of the Asians are also happy following the news a X user says “Big win for Saudi Arabia! The future of football in the Middle East looks bright”
Saudi Arabia’s masterplan
Since decades the country has been criticised for its regulations which cause violation of human rights, including criminalisation of homosexuality, lack of women rights and restrictions on free speech. Saudi Arabia seems to be white washing their image and painting a new picture in front of the world. The projects like ‘Mission 2030’, ‘Neom’ are the biggest example of them putting efforts towards amelioration towards diversification.
Looking at only the Sporting side of it, Saudi definitely has brought in a lot of interests from across the world. The ministry of sports emerged as a key body when in 2020 the authority of general Sports was transformed. In diversifying the economy and sports culture the following events have a huge impact on the country:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing
In 2022 Ronaldo signed for a Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and according to MARCA, Ronaldo was an ambassador of Saudi Arabia’s joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup. Although the 2030 bid did not work, in the following edition’s bid Cristiano was an ambassador for Saudi which was confirmed when they were the only bidders for the tournament.
Apart from the legend’s influence, the country’s plan of using him as the face of promoting not just football but overall sports has been successful.
All sort of Sporting events
Alongside football after the success of the Saudi Pro League, other sporting events like Formula One races, Motorsport events, Tennis tournaments like WTA finals, major Boxing events, all together have contributed.
Building a sports culture in a country like Saudi Arabia definitely would have been a dare. Their neighbours Qatar tried to follow the same model of diversifying through sports but failed. Qatar neither had a face of sports nor made a fan culture to fill the stadiums. Saudi Arabia has learnt from their mistake and focussed on a slow build-up which includes Saudi Pro league and other sports events.
The 2030 bid rejection could be a blessing in disguise for the country. Till 2034 Saudi Arabia will have a severe football fan base with a proper host team for competing.
