New Delhi: In a monumental announcement, Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), revealed through a social media post late on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The news came after Football Australia opted out of the bidding process for the 2034 FIFA Men’s Football World Cup, clearing the path for Saudi Arabia to potentially host the prestigious tournament.
Infantino shared the future hosting plans for the FIFA World Cup, stating, “The next two editions of the FIFA World Cup are set to be hosted in Africa (Morocco) and Europe (Portugal and Spain) – with three celebratory matches played in South America (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) – in 2030 and in Asia (Saudi Arabia) in 2034.” He expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts involved in the bidding processes, emphasizing that the decisions were made after constructive dialogue and extensive consultation within the FIFA Council, where all six confederations were represented.
This announcement marks a historic moment for Saudi Arabia, as the nation is set to host one of the most significant sporting events in the world. The FIFA World Cup 2034 will follow the editions hosted by Morocco in Africa and Portugal and Spain in Europe, with celebratory matches scheduled in South America in 2030. Additionally, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already confirmed to be jointly hosted by three North American countries: the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. The footballing world eagerly anticipates the unfolding of these prestigious tournaments on the global stage.
