Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as host of the 2034 men’s World Cup. The Middle East nation was the sole bidder for the finals in ten years’ time, with an online Fifa Congress voting by acclamation in favour of its staging, despite the huge controversy surrounding the bid.
The hosting rights for the centenary tournament in 2030 were rubberstamped at the same time, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain named as the principal co-hosts.
Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal said: “Fifa Congress, allow me first of all to hand out my thanks to the trust that you have conveyed into the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“It is a day that we invited the entire world to Saudi Arabia. We intend to have an extraordinary version of the World Cup held in our kingdom.”
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “We are aware of critics and fears and I fully trust our hosts to address all open points.
“We have a transparency that will shape real and lasting change. That is what we expect and what we look forward to, social improvements and positive human rights impacts. That is one of the responsibilities of hosting a World Cup, and the world will of course be watching.”
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