On Wednesday, a key decision fell Saudi Arabia’s way when FIFA united Europe, Africa, and South America around a sole bid for the 2030 World Cup in a remarkable co-facilitating group of Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, and Paraguay and inaugural 1930 World Cup host Uruguay.
These continents are now out of the race for hosting contentions for the 2034 World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino fast-tracked the hosting contest to open immediately. Only FIFA member federations from Asia and Oceania could apply for the World Cup in 2034. Saudi Arabia took this opportunity and declared its long-expected interest on Wednesday, not long after the FIFA decision.
🚨 FIFA president Gianni Infantino dreams of a World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2034. 🇸🇦
(Source: @SamWallaceTel) pic.twitter.com/RTZoz10SoN
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 8, 2023
Fourteen stadiums of 40,000 capacity or more, and at least one of 80,000, 72 training camps paired with hotels; two international broadcast sites; two fan festival sites, and then the hotels for the FIFA staff, with the unusually specific requirements for gyms and pools.
Facilitating a Fifa World Cup finals is not easy at all, as the 2034 bid report published on Friday, lays out in detail.
Saudi Arabia as of now meets the FIFA target with no less than seven previously built or under-development arenas ahead of facilitating the 2027 Asian Cup. In Australia, some have proactively begun addressing whether the nation has seven football arenas all set. More modest scenes were acknowledged for the Women’s World Cup.
Saudi Arabia have confirmed that they will be bidding to host the World Cup in 2034 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/arOscuaSxB
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 4, 2023
Infantino’s closeness to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on frequent visits to the oil-rich realm has been clear since before the 2018 World Cup.
Infantino was pushing Qatar to share facilitating of a 48-group World Cup with its territorial neighbors despite the nation being subject to a Saudi-drove conciliatory and financial blacklist. However, that plan was resisted back then.
Saudi Arabia’s alcohol policy relaxation: A strategic gambit for FIFA World Cup 2034 bid
As Saudi Arabia is the prime contender now to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, the Saudi authorities have started relaxing guidelines that could eventually land the World Cup hosting rights in their favor.
Saudi Arabia have officially announced their bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/A44rKBJAkL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 4, 2023
This is seen as a strategic decision by fans all over the world, as Saudi Arabia has a long-term goal and the authorities want to host the FIFA World Cup all on their own. The hosting rights could bring a flurry of benefits for Saudi Arabia as foreign revenue would enter the nation.
The sale and consumption of liquor are completely disallowed in Saudi Arabia and outsiders discovered drinking can confront public flagellating, fines, detainment, and deportation. Be that as it may, the nation seems to have loosened up its position with the possibility of facilitating the 2034 World Cup.
