Paving the way for the 2034 Saudi tournament?: FIFA relaxes stadium rules for World Cup prize

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It is no secret that Saudi Arabia would like to host the 2034 World Cup. FIFA has now adjusted its regulations regarding the existing infrastructure. Thanks to the adjustment, a candidate country only needs to have four stadiums ready instead of the seven existing stadiums.

Associations have until the end of October to express their interest in organizing the 2034 World Cup. Due to the rotation principle introduced by FIFA – and because the tournament will take place on three continents in 2030 – registrations from Asia and Oceania will only be accepted for the final tournament in eleven years’ time. The latest adjustment to the rules also plays into the hands of the Saudis.

Four stadiums “ready” for the Asian Cup

FIFA’s statutes stipulate that a potential host nation must offer fourteen suitable stadiums with a capacity of at least 40,000 fans in a single application. The main games require arenas with a capacity of at least 60,000 and 80,000 spectators. Before the last change there had to be seven, but recently there are four. FIFA specifies that stadiums “under construction” or “in need of renovation or reconstruction” include existing stadiums.

The Gulf state is currently preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup. Four stadiums are planned for this. Two in Riyadh, currently under renovation, one in Jeddah and a new building in Dammam, where construction started about a month ago. In short: thanks to the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia has four ‘ready’ stadiums. Construction plans will probably be submitted for the remaining ten.

Australia would be the sustainable alternative

A FIFA spokesperson explained the change to The Guardian, saying they wanted to take into account the “long lead time” until the 2034 tournament. The measure is also intended to protect against “outdated infrastructure” and to provide “the best possible quality” for the tournament.

For example, while the IOC appears to be seeking to allocate future tournaments to venues with largely existing infrastructure for sustainability reasons (95 percent of the venues for Paris 2024 would be existing facilities), FIFA is adjusting its rules in other areas. direction. To remove an obstacle to the Saudi World Cup, the joker might think.

Australia could become a sustainable alternative. The co-host nation of the last Women’s World Cup is currently considering an application. The Summer Olympics will take place in Brisbane in 2032. Thanks to the use of existing infrastructure, these must be carried out cost-neutrally. Something that would be impossible at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. (dti)

Source : Blick