FIFA has designated Saudi Arabia as the sole contender to host the 2034 men’s football World Cup

FIFA has designated Saudi Arabia as the sole contender to host the 2034 men’s football World Cup, as Australia, the only other prospective host, decided not to mount a competing bid.
This announcement comes after FIFA set a deadline for potential bidders earlier this month, and Saudi Arabia was the only nation to express its interest within that timeframe.

Previously, Football Australia had considered the possibility of hosting the 2034 event but ultimately decided against it, paving the way for Saudi Arabia to secure the hosting rights uncontested. FIFA altered the process for selecting the host for the major men’s football tournament by awarding the 2030 tournament to a joint bid from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

This move effectively barred all European and African nations from bidding for the 2034 World Cup. Furthermore, in an unusual move, FIFA announced that three matches would be held in South America to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, which took place in Uruguay. With the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting the 2026 tournament, only countries in Asia and Oceania were allowed to submit bids for the 2034 edition.

FIFA also significantly shortened the entire bidding process for 2034, providing potential hosts with just three weeks to express their interest. Saudi Arabia quickly confirmed its intention to bid after the announcement.

Yasser Al Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, stated, “We believe the time is right for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup” shortly after the 2030 hosts were revealed.

The Asian Football Confederation, which includes both Saudi Arabia and Australia as members, subsequently expressed support for Riyadh’s bid. Saudi Arabia’s proposal garnered broad backing, reflecting the kingdom’s concentrated efforts to establish connections in the world’s most-watched sport.

Over the past year, the Saudi football federation has inked numerous cooperation agreements with football associations worldwide, while Saudi sponsors have actively sought deals with clubs and tournament organizers.

This unopposed Saudi bid will accelerate the kingdom’s involvement in football, a component of its broader expansion into the global sports arena. Saudi clubs spent over €800 million on transfer fees during the summer transfer window to attract renowned players to their domestic league, with actual spending likely surpassing that amount due to high salaries offered to stars like former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Brazilian forward Neymar.

The prospect of a Saudi-hosted World Cup has already raised concerns among human rights activists and fan groups, reviving the contentious debate over human rights that overshadowed the lead-up to the last World Cup held in Qatar late last year.

Australia, meanwhile, has shifted its focus to hosting the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup, a new competition featuring club teams from around the world, in 2029.