Saudi Arabia are looking forward to hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup but may face challenges from other countries, according to reports.
The Middle Eastern nations are believed to have submitted their bid for hosting rights of the prestigious tournament, but things may take an unexpected turnaround.
According to insiders, the country has adjusted its law on alcohol in other to seal the World Cup hosting rights.
What happened?
Soccer officials in Australia and Indonesia have wandered the impression of banding together in a bid to challenge Saudi Arabia for the hosting rights to the men’s World Cup in 2034.
According to a report on Wednesday, 11th of October, Indonesia soccer federation president Erick Thohir is in constant discussions to form a team comprises of Malaysia and Singapore to bid for the World Cup.
Indonesia are linked to the proposal despite seeing the men’s Under-20 World Cup being taken away by FIFA this year due to political chaos because the Muslim-majority country did not want to stage events which would feature Israel.
Argentina ended up hosting the under-20 competition at the last minute.
Meanwhile, FIFA could have punished the Indonesian federation for breaching hosting responsibilities but rather awarded the country weeks later by appointing them as the host of the men’s Under-17 World Cup, which Israel did not qualify for. It will kick off in November.
Indonesia government minister Thohir, who is the former Inter Milan president has a link to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the duo are members of the International Olympic Committee.
FIFA have set a deadline of November 30 to file a formal bidding approval. Therefore, any rival of Saudi Arabia in the 2034 World Cup tournament has to indicate authorized interest by the 30th of October.
Members of the Asia and Oceania football bodies are only eligible to bid for the 2034 World Cup, because the United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host the 2026 tournament, and six FIFA partners from Europe, America, Africa, and South America will host the 2030 edition.
FIFA opened the 2034 contest a week ago and within hours the Saudi Arabian Football Federation vowed to bid and the Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa indicated that there was united support for the bid.
However, Four AFC members now emerge to be in discussions to discredit that announcement.
The Australian football federation, which co-hosted the Women’s World Cup this year successfully, are also reportedly seeking the prospect of bidding for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029 and/or the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
The 32-team club tournament in 2029 is anticipated to be played in June-July, a time of year unpleased to the irrational summer heat in the Middle East.
What’s next?
FIFA have announced that they will agree on which months to play the 2034 World Cup after their members verify the host at a conference is expected to be held late in 2024.
