FIFA is poised to confirm the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 Men’s World Cup tournaments on Wednesday, with the decision expected to stir both excitement and controversy.

The 2030 tournament is set to be hosted by a historic three-continent, six-nation collaboration led by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

The 2034 tournament, meanwhile, will be awarded to Saudi Arabia, marking the kingdom’s debut as a World Cup host and making it the second Middle Eastern country to host the prestigious event, after Qatar in 2022.

The announcement of the hosting nations is anticipated to be a formality, as FIFA confirmed in October 2023 that no competing bids had been received for either tournament.

However, with FIFA still undecided on whether the decision will be made by acclamation or a formal vote, tensions have risen in the lead-up to the announcement.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has already expressed its intention to vote against the awarding of the hosting rights by acclamation, criticizing the bidding process as “flawed and inconsistent.”

The Bids: A Historic World Cup in 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s Ambition for 2034

The bid for the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the tournament’s centenary, has garnered attention for its scale and geographic reach.

Morocco, Spain, and Portugal’s combined proposal will see the competition unfold across three continents—Europe, Africa, and South America—and six countries.

This bid is seen as a way to honor the tournament’s history, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting celebratory matches. Uruguay, in particular, holds a symbolic significance as the host of the first-ever World Cup in 1930.

The initial proposal for 2030 had involved Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, but FIFA made the decision last year to scale back that plan, announcing that Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay would each host one match during the tournament.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup represents a major shift for the Middle East, marking the second time the region will host the event following Qatar’s successful 2022 bid.

Saudi Arabia’s successful bid follows the withdrawal of a joint bid from Australia and Indonesia, who had initially expressed interest in hosting the tournament but later dropped out before Saudi Arabia was announced as the sole bidder.

Environmental Concerns and the 2030 World Cup’s Global Reach

Despite the historical significance of the 2030 World Cup and its cross-continental reach, the bid has already faced significant criticism. One of the primary concerns raised by environmental advocates is the environmental impact of hosting the tournament across three continents.

The travel required to move teams, officials, and fans between Europe, Africa, and South America is expected to lead to a significant increase in carbon emissions, which has been criticized by climate activists.

FIFA has acknowledged these concerns and has stated that it will take measures to mitigate the environmental impact, including potential steps to reduce emissions associated with travel.

However, the scale of the travel and the likely environmental footprint of such a large-scale event remains a contentious issue.

Additionally, FIFA’s decision to award the 2030 World Cup to a transcontinental group of nations has raised questions about fairness in the bidding process, with some critics questioning whether a more centralized, single-nation bid would have been more sustainable or practical.

Saudi Arabia’s Bid for 2034 Faces Human Rights Scrutiny

While the 2030 World Cup’s environmental concerns have generated headlines, the 2034 World Cup bid has sparked even more intense debates, especially surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Critics argue that awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a country with a controversial human rights history, could lead to accusations of “sportswashing.”

This term refers to the use of major sports events to improve a nation’s image, often in the face of criticism over issues such as human rights abuses, lack of freedom, and discrimination.

Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have both called on FIFA to halt the selection process for Saudi Arabia unless the country makes significant reforms to address its human rights record.

Saudi Arabia has faced international condemnation over its treatment of women, restrictions on freedom of speech, and treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Furthermore, critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s investments in sport—particularly through its Public Investment Fund—are an attempt to divert attention from these issues.

In response to the criticisms, Saudi Arabian officials have defended the country’s bid, emphasizing the progress they believe has been made in terms of human rights, as well as the country’s broader efforts to improve its international image.

Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup, spoke to Reuters earlier this month, asserting that significant strides had been made in human rights and that the Kingdom was committed to making the necessary reforms.

However, many critics remain skeptical, questioning whether any reforms are truly substantive or just a strategic attempt to quell global concerns ahead of the tournament.

The Timing of the 2034 World Cup: A Clash with the Winter Olympics?

Another challenge facing Saudi Arabia’s bid is the country’s desert climate, which has raised questions about the timing of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia’s intense heat during the summer months would make it difficult to hold the World Cup during the traditional June and July window, which could lead FIFA to opt for a winter competition, much like it did for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Reports have suggested that the 2034 World Cup could be held in January, which would coincide with the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, USA.

This scheduling conflict raises the possibility of clashes between two major global sporting events, a scenario that would put FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in an uncomfortable position.

FIFA has not yet specified a proposed window for the tournament but has indicated that it will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to determine the optimal timing for the event.

The Future of the World Cup: Balancing Politics, Human Rights, and the Global Stage

As FIFA moves closer to confirming the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, the organization finds itself at the center of an ongoing debate over the intersection of politics, human rights, and sport.

The decision to award the 2030 tournament to a unique, multi-nation bid across three continents is symbolic of FIFA’s desire to mark the event’s centenary, but the environmental impact of such a sprawling competition raises difficult questions about sustainability.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid continues to stir up controversy, with critics arguing that the country’s human rights record and climate concerns could overshadow the tournament itself.

The broader implications of FIFA’s decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia will likely reverberate far beyond the soccer field, sparking continued debate about the role of sport in global politics and the extent to which major international organizations like FIFA should engage with countries facing criticism for their human rights practices.

As the global sporting community prepares for the announcement, the stage is set for what will undoubtedly be one of the most contentious decisions in FIFA’s history.