2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts officially announced: two controversial allocations

FIFA has officially awarded the 2030 World Cup to an unprecedented trio: Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with a historic twist—three opening matches are scheduled to take place in South America, where the tournament began in 1930. As for the 2034 edition, it will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, further solidifying the country’s growing influence on the international sports scene.

An expected announcement

During an exceptional congress on Wednesday, 211 FIFA member federations (210 in practice, as Norway abstained) unanimously approved these two bids, the only remaining candidates after several withdrawals. This double allocation concludes a long and often criticized process.

To mark the centenary of the first World Cup, three opening matches in 2030 will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, before the tournament moves across the Atlantic to Europe and Africa. Spain, which previously hosted the 1982 World Cup, will hold the majority of matches, while Morocco, a candidate to host the final, becomes the second African country to host the event after South Africa in 2010.

Logistical challenges and environmental criticism

The logistics of the 2030 edition raise concerns: massive travel across multiple continents in a short timeframe contradicts FIFA’s environmental commitments. These challenges are compounded by ongoing criticism regarding the ecological and social costs of such events.

Saudi Arabia and the 2034 World Cup

For 2034, the allocation to Saudi Arabia, the only candidate after Australia and Indonesia withdrew, has sparked controversy. Accused of “sportswashing,” the kingdom is using this event to bolster its economic diversification strategy and improve its global image. However, with only two stadiums meeting current requirements, the country faces a colossal infrastructure challenge.

As was the case with Qatar in 2022, the 2034 World Cup may be held in the winter to avoid the extreme summer heat in Saudi Arabia.

A divided future for global gootball

While these decisions symbolize the geographical expansion of the World Cup, they also raise major controversies. From logistical challenges to environmental and ethical concerns, these World Cups remind us that sports are not only a field of passion but also a reflection of global political and economic issues.