The 2034 FIFA World Cup bidding process took an unexpected turn as Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder within the set deadline, according to FIFA’s announcement on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia’s swift response to FIFA’s invitation to bid, made just minutes after the announcement on October 4, positioned them as the sole candidate for hosting the tournament. Meanwhile, Australia decided not to pursue a bid, leaving Saudi Arabia unchallenged in its quest.
FIFA, following its established Bidding Regulations approved by the FIFA Council, will initiate comprehensive bidding and evaluation procedures for both the 2030 and 2034 editions of the FIFA World Cup. The host countries for these tournaments are expected to be determined by FIFA Congresses scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024. FIFA’s commitment to a thorough selection process is evident.
Yasser Al Misehal, the President of the Saudi Football Association, expressed the federation’s unwavering commitment to meeting all FIFA requirements to secure the right to host the World Cup. He shared his optimism on social media, saying, “All members of the Saudi football family are doing their best to achieve the dream of the Saudis, male and female, to see the World Cup in the Kingdom for the first time. We believe in the great power of football to inspire future generations, and we hope World Cup 2034 contributes to the development of the game throughout the world.”
In addition to the 2034 bidding news, FIFA confirmed that Morocco, Portugal, and Spain expressed their interest in hosting the 2030 World Cup. This came alongside the announcement that Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are set to host celebratory games as part of the tournament’s festivities. Notably, the combined bid of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal was selected to host the 2030 World Cup, pending a successful bidding process, as previously revealed on October 4.
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