Ramadan stands in the way of winter's contested World Cup
Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already agreed that the tournament will take place there. However, there are some caveats, and these cannot be resolved even with the help of the newly submitted bid documents.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is tirelessly promoting the highly controversial bid by Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Europe. However, central questions remain unanswered following the publication of the sole candidate's bid documents by FIFA.
The sensitive issue of human rights in the kingdom is addressed in the 245-page glossy document in the 17th and final chapter, under two subheadings. It is stated that the World Cup will be organized in as environmentally friendly and human-centric a manner as possible, quoting Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the national football association. "Young minds" should adopt a "global perspective" that would have a positive impact on the planet and its people.
The bidder remains vague about the timing of the tournament. A repeat of the winter World Cup like the one in 2022 in Qatar is still possible. The key factor is collaboration with FIFA for scheduling. Other aspects mentioned are climatic conditions and religious festivals. Holding the tournament in November and December, like in Qatar, seems impossible as the fasting month of Ramadan falls in those months in 2034.
In the European summer, the classic World Cup period, temperatures in Saudi Arabia can reach extreme highs. The bidders write of temperatures ranging from 17 to 38 degrees Celsius between May and September.
Amnesty: Dismal Human Rights Record
The world is invited to "join us on our remarkable journey to become the global home of sport," wrote five-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, who earns his money playing for the Saudi Arabian club al-Nassr FC, on X.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed serious concerns and criticized Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International recently stated that Saudi Arabia has a dismal human rights record. The country's bid includes a 28-page "Human Rights Strategy" that speaks of the "great responsibility" to uphold human rights principles. Efforts to improve workers' rights and ensure an "integrative and non-discriminatory" environment are mentioned.
In 2034, the World Cup in Saudi Arabia will take place in 15 stadiums, including the futuristic city of Neom. Eight stadiums are still under construction, three are in the construction phase, and four arenas are to be modernized by the tournament.
An award for Saudi Arabia is expected later this year. In December, an extraordinary FIFA Congress will allocate the tournaments for 2030 and 2034. The 2034 World Cup will take place in six countries. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are the designated main hosts, with opening matches taking place in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. In 2026, the USA, Mexico, and Canada will host the event, which will then feature 48 teams and 104 matches.
The European Parliament, as mentioned in the statutes of FIFA, can provide assistance to the Commission regarding the 2034 FIFA World Cup bid by Saudi Arabia, given its potential impact on human rights. Despite the assurance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the concerns raised by human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, about Saudi Arabia's human rights record remain unresolved.
