2034 tournament in the Gulf state almost fixed: who can still prevent the World Cup in Saudi Arabia?

Barely twelve years after the tournament in Qatar, FIFA wants to award the next World Cup to the Gulf region. To a very controversial state that violates human rights. In the press freedom rankings, Saudi Arabia ranks 170th out of 180 countries. Any concerns from Qatar? Suppressed and forgotten. “Making football truly global,” Infantino writes. He could also say: ‘Money talks.’

But who can prevent the 2034 World Cup from being awarded to Saudi Arabia?

It is the General Assembly of FIFA, with its 211 member associations, that will choose the host of the World Cup at the FIFA Congress at the end of 2024. After the 37-member FIFA council – unanimously according to the world association – awarded the 2030 World Cup to six countries and three continents and Saudi Arabia has no rival candidate, the die seems to have been cast. The door is closed for new registrations; only possible co-hosts could join at the request of Saudi Arabia, but that will not happen.

UEFA is the most powerful continental association and the European Club Association (ECA) is the association that represents the interests of European clubs. These are crucial when it comes to releasing the players and setting the schedule. To move the World Cup in Qatar to the European winter for climatic reasons, FIFA also needed an agreement with the ECA. Thanks to the planned main hosts Spain and Portugal, UEFA will host the 2030 World Cup.

Before the 2022 World Cup, public criticism of Qatar raised concerns among several sponsors that the commitment could damage their reputation. But only a few took action; most remained on board. Global brands such as Adidas and Coca-Cola even extended their contracts with FIFA for a long time. The big TV stations or media companies would also have power because of renunciation, but the big companies are more important.

Viewing figures in Switzerland and Germany fell during the World Cup in Qatar compared to previous finals. However, other regions of the world reported record quotas – at least according to FIFA. The fans on the ground had the same view: while the Europeans, with the exception of the Welsh, stayed away from the tournament, South Americans, North Africans and fans from neighboring Saudi Arabia flocked to Doha.

The Human Rights Working Group remains active. This was launched in the run-up to the World Cup in Qatar by SFV chairman Dominique Blanc and representatives of other European associations, among others, and subsequently expanded. According to the SFV, the working group will discuss the Saudi Arabia issue at one of its next meetings and, if necessary, submit a proposal at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok in May. This will not change much – unless major associations decide to boycott.

The organization of the 2034 World Cup has not yet been definitively assured. “FIFA must be prepared to halt the application process if serious human rights risks are not credibly addressed,” Steve Cockburn said in an Amnesty International press release. Still, it’s virtually impossible for the prize to fail. Infantino is about to complete his mission. It has been clear since the beginning of his presidency that Wallis is (too) close to the Gulf state.