FIFA Faces Backlash Over Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Bid

The allocation of the 2034 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia has drawn sharp criticism from international media and football commentators, with many branding the decision an affront to governance and transparency.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Saudi Arabia as the host for 2034 during a virtual ceremony on Wednesday. With Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, the process was widely criticised as lacking competition or accountability.

Germany, England and Switzerland Fury

The Daily Mail was particularly scathing:

“Just when you thought Gianni Infantino couldn’t look more absurd, he was back behind a lectern on Wednesday, making a fool of himself and humiliating his organisation.”

The publication ridiculed the spectacle of Infantino asking FIFA delegates to clap visibly on-screen to approve Saudi Arabia’s unopposed bid. “Beautiful,” he enthused, brushing aside any scrutiny over the opaque bidding process.

Meanwhile, The Guardian lamented the state of FIFA’s governance.

“The shamelessness of the FIFA process was on full display in Zurich in a display of contempt for governance, democracy, love, hope and common sense. A sport run along absurdly dictatorial lines is now firmly in the hands of the real thing.”

Criticism also emerged from Germany’s Sportschau, questioning the organisation’s detachment from outside accountability.

“Who in the FIFA kingdom listens to criticism outside the football bubble? All warnings, based on research and reports, were ignored by Gianni Infantino and his followers.”

Even Swiss media, such as Tages-Anzeiger, were unimpressed.

“You have to give it to Infantino: the way he has achieved this is a small masterpiece. He has developed a clear preference for autocrats, the Putins and Trumps of this world, for the Emir of Qatar or Mohammed bin Salman. Money attracts him, as he has demonstrated several times.”

Concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including issues related to women’s rights and freedom of speech, remain largely unaddressed in FIFA’s official narratives. Human rights groups have raised alarms over the implications of the decision.

Site Opinion

FIFA’s decision to allocate the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia is emblematic of an organisation increasingly divorced from its moral obligations. The unopposed bid highlights not only a lack of transparency but also a willingness to prioritise financial gain over ethical considerations. Infantino’s conduct during the announcement reinforced perceptions of a sporting body that sees criticism as mere background noise.

While Saudi Arabia’s investment in football is undeniable, the wider implications for the sport’s integrity are troubling. With the shadow of Qatar 2022 still lingering, FIFA’s persistent pattern of aligning with autocratic regimes risks alienating fans, stakeholders, and players alike. Football’s global appeal deserves governance that champions the values of fairness, inclusivity, and respect—values currently absent from the sport’s top echelons.


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