FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup hosting rights splits Australian football community

While Football Australia has backed Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 Word Cup, the body that represents Australian players has significant concerns.

Australia’s football players union has called for FIFA to be held “accountable” by the sport’s international community following the decision to award Saudi Arabia hosting rights to the 2034 World Cup.

FIFA confirmed on Thursday morning (AEDT) that sole bidder Saudi Arabia’s reported $5 trillion submission had been awarded the World Cup in 2034 despite concerns about the country’s human rights and environmental records and the belief that it’s another form of “sportswashing” in an effort to improve the nation’s reputation.
And while Football Australia has backed FIFA’s decision, claiming it would lead to “positive change” in the Middle East nation, Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Beau Busch was less optimistic about FIFA’s ability to prevent “harm” in Saudi Arabia.

Many argue the Saudi Arabia’s laws do not protect workers, particularly migrants, who will be relied upon to build eight new stadiums and 175,000 hotel rooms.

Introducing the hosts for the next two editions of the @FIFAWorldCup! 🏆

Morocco, Portugal and Spain will host in 2030, with centenary celebration matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Four years later, Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup 2034â„¢. pic.twitter.com/WdOEdNEVxH

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 11, 2024

“The significant human rights risks linked to this tournament are well documented,” Busch said.

“By securing hosting rights to the global game’s most prestigious event, Saudi Arabia and FIFA must ensure the rights of everyone affected by the 2034 men’s World Cup are upheld and safeguarded.

“However, FIFA’s ongoing governance failures and lack of accountability to its own human rights commitments leave no assurance that harm can or will be prevented.

“It is critical for the international football community to step up and hold FIFA accountable.”

However, FA chairman Anter Isaac is confident FIFA has made the right choice.

“Football Australia has joined the majority of global football associations in showing support for Saudia Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup bid,” Isaac said.

“This decision to support fellow Asian Football Confederation member association Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup reflects our commitment to fostering football’s growth globally.

“Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a strong commitment to hosting a world-class tournament, and we remain confident in FIFA’s frameworks and the FIFA World Cup’s capacity for positive change.”

A fan waves a flag after Saudi Arabia was announced as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Picture: Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images for Saudi Arabian Football Federation

FA had been considering bidding for the 2034 World Cup before announcing in October last year it would not make a submission to host the tournament, having “taken all factors into consideration”.

Isaac said on Thursday that FA’s decision not to bid for the 2034 World Cup reflected a “strategic plan” to host other major tournaments.

Australia is hosting the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, while FA’s “ambition” is to also host the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

“These events, alongside the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, will deliver a golden decade for football in Australia and position us for future World Cup bids,” Isaac said.

FA also supported FIFA’s decision to stage the 2030 World Cup, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the tournament, across six nations – Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay

“This collaborative approach celebrates football’s rich history and global significance, connecting cultures and communities worldwide,” Isaac said.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater questioned the decision to award six nations hosting rights to the 2030 World Cup, believing that if the idea was to celebrate 100 years of the tournament, the tournament should have been only held in South America, with Uruguay having hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

Originally published as FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup hosting rights splits Australian football community