An extraordinary digital FIFA Congress in Zurich will officially announce the host countries for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, with decisions made by FIFA’s 211 member associations. The joint bid for 2030 includes Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia stands as the sole candidate for 2034. Concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record have been raised by NGOs, despite FIFA’s favorable evaluation of the bid.
Upcoming Decisions at the FIFA Congress in Zurich
On Wednesday, an extraordinary digital congress will take place in Zurich, where FIFA will officially designate the host countries for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. The final decision will be made by the 211 member associations of FIFA.
Candidate Bids for the World Cups
For the 2030 World Cup, there is a singular bid encompassing six nations across three continents: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The majority of matches are set to occur in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with one match hosted in each of the South American countries. This bid is particularly significant as it marks the centenary of the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, with the opening match planned to take place there. In contrast, Saudi Arabia stands alone with its bid for the 2034 World Cup.
While there are two distinct bids for the upcoming tournaments, it seems the outcome may already be predetermined. FIFA plans to avoid a formal vote, instead opting for a collective approval by acclamation from the member associations.
This congress diverges from past events, which were often shrouded in tension and uncertainty. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has orchestrated this process strategically, stemming from the FIFA Council meeting in early October 2023, where the decision to award the 2030 World Cup to the six aforementioned nations was made. Initially, there were separate bids from the European nations and South America, but they were quickly merged to streamline the process.
This strategy also paves the way for a smooth path for Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid. With the involvement of multiple continental associations for the 2030 tournament, only the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was available for the 2034 World Cup, leading to Saudi Arabia’s swift interest. FIFA’s tight timeline for bid submissions further solidified Saudi Arabia’s position as the sole candidate.
In preparation for this congress, FIFA’s leadership proposed adjustments to their statutes to facilitate the dual awarding of the World Cups. Consequently, any objections to the Saudi bid would simultaneously oppose the European bid for 2030, placing European associations in a challenging position.
Swiss Football Association’s Stance on the Bidding Process
Dominique Blanc, the president of the Swiss Football Association (SFV), shared insights in an interview regarding their approach to the vote. The SFV intends to support both bids while also voicing concerns about the Saudi Arabian proposal.
Blanc emphasized that they would thoroughly evaluate the Saudi bid before making their decision, particularly considering the comprehensive human rights strategy included in the proposal. This strategy is aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights, although the SFV has called for enhanced independent oversight and appeals processes from FIFA.
The SFV aims to maintain a dialogical approach, reminiscent of their dealings during the World Cup in Qatar, with Blanc advocating for “dialogue instead of boycott.” Similarly, the German Football Association (DFB) has indicated its intent to support the dual awards as well.
Regarding the voting procedure, President Blanc anticipates discussions about ensuring that the required majority of associations agrees with the acclamation method, as he believes this aligns with the principles of a genuine democratic process.
NGOs Critique the Saudi Arabian Bid
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) express significant concern over the prospect of a World Cup in Saudi Arabia. They view the country’s human rights strategy with skepticism, with Amnesty International stating that awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia would have detrimental implications for human rights, labeling the situation as “catastrophic.”
Amnesty International highlights the potential exploitation of migrant workers needed for the construction of eleven new stadiums and the renovation of four others, along with the provision of 185,000 additional hotel rooms. The organization points out that necessary reforms to protect these workers, such as the abolition of the “Kafala system” and the establishment of minimum wage rights, are yet to be implemented. They warn of the risks of exploitation and fatalities, alongside concerns regarding severe restrictions on free expression and the imprisonment of dissenters.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia faces criticism for its treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and has been noted for being among the top five countries for executions in 2023, with a reported 172 executions.
In response to these concerns, FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid at the end of November rated it 4.2 out of 5 points, categorizing the human rights situation as a “medium risk.” This assessment has been met with backlash from organizations like Amnesty International, who label it as “astonishing whitewashing.”