Football: FIFA World Cup 2034
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The FIFA World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2034 and will be the first ever 48-team tournament to be staged in a single host country.
Also, according to Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025 held in the Saudi Capital, Riyadh, on 13 May 2025, the 2034 FIFA World Cup will provide “huge opportunities for investment” in the Kingdom.
He also remarked that:
“A competition like the World Cup is really transformative, not just for a country, and for a region, but really for the entire world. Football is, of course, the world’s number one sport. Five billion people are football fans, or soccer fans, around the world.”
And added that:
“The FIFA World Cup 2034……will showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, dynamic transformation and deep-rooted passion for football. The country also enjoys a growing reputation as a world-class international destination, hosting a number of sporting events, including the inaugural FIFA Series in 2024, the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™ and the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup.”
His message to all investors around the world was a simple one:
“Invest in the beautiful game, it will be the best investment you can make!”
As regards investment in sport generally, it is reported that Saudi Arabia has invested around £5bn (around €5.9 billion) since 2021, when the country's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, made it a key part of his 'Vision 2030' strategy to diversify the economy.
The country has hosted several major sporting events, including in football, Formula 1, golf and boxing, while the country's Public Investment Fund has launched the breakaway LIV Golf series, taken control of four Saudi Pro League clubs and purchased Newcastle United.
However, the country has been accused, by some human rights’ groups, including the UK-based NGO Amnesty International, of using its investment in sport and the hosting of high-profile events to improve its international reputation - so-called ‘sportswashing’. It has been criticised for its human rights violations, the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, women's rights abuses, the criminalisation of homosexuality, the restriction of free speech and the war in Yemen.
Concerns have also been expressed by these groups about the treatment and safety of foreign workers in the country involved in the infrastructural and construction projects needed for staging the World Cup.
Responding to these concerns, FIFA, in its 110-page Evaluation Report on the country’s unopposed bid to host the 2034 World Cup, published at the end of November 2024, refers to:
“The government's commitment to respecting, protecting and fulfilling internationally recognised human rights in connection with the competition including in the areas of safety and security, labour rights, rights of children, gender equality and non-discrimination, as well as freedom of expression (including press freedom)."
The FIFA Report also:
“Highlights areas where further legal reforms are needed and makes reference to the need for effective enforcement, without which the risk of indecent working conditions could be elevated."
However, Amnesty International described the FIFA Report as:
"An astonishing whitewash of the country's atrocious human rights record. There are no meaningful commitments that will prevent workers from being exploited, residents from being evicted or activists from being arrested.”
And added that:
"Fundamental human rights reforms are urgently required in Saudi Arabia, or the 2034 World Cup will be inevitably tarnished by exploitation, discrimination and repression.”
So, in some respects, it would appear that the jury is still out!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
