The kingdom is the only candidate still in the running for the organization of the competition. The matches should once again be held in winter, disrupting the calendar of the traditional sports season as during the World Cup in Qatar.
Again. After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the one scheduled for 2034 should once again be held in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate in the running after Australia’s withdrawal on Tuesday October 31. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced it on social media.
Except that in summer, the traditional period of the World Cup, it is more than 50 degrees in the Saudi kingdom. For the last edition in Qatar, FIFPRO (International Federation of Football Players’ Associations) exceptionally gave its agreement to shift the dates. The competition was therefore held in winter, with 25 degrees on average and air-conditioned stadiums which had created an ecological controversy.
“We realize that what was exceptional is perhaps becoming recurring. It is both economic and political.”
Philippe Piat, president of FIFPRO and UNFPat franceinfo
But this exception could make a comeback in Saudi Arabia, according to Philippe Piat, former president of FIFPRO and current president of the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). “There is an economic reason since there are quite a few important players who emigrate to Saudi Arabia. It has economic means which are important enough to convince certain playersexplains Philippe Piat. And then political too, because every World Cup decision is political, whether in the past or in the future.”
Cool the stadiums or go to cooler cities
Saudi Arabia obviously says it is ready to adapt, in summer as in winter, and claims to be able to offer a liveable competition. The president of the Saudi federation, Yasser Al Misehal, said this in an interview with AFP: “It is possible to cool the stadiums, or go to less hot cities in the kingdom”.
The reactions were not long in coming. The health of the players, with extended calendars and seasons cut in two, worries Philippe Piat. ” This raises an important question about national competitions, which will be impacted. And for the players too,seeing a period like that in the middle of the championship is not recommended”says the president of the French players’ union.
Beyond the players, the establishment of air-conditioned stadiums in the desert also raises questions in terms of ecology. Environmental defense associations have already denounced this possibility. And finally on the level of human rights: in a press release, the organization Human Rights Watch denounces FIFA, which according to it, has flouted its own rules on human rights. Like a sense of deja vu.