Infantino preaches a message of unity after handing Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino today hailed the power of football to “unite the world” after playing a leading role in handing Saudi Arabia the most divisive World Cup since the last one.

Today’s FIFA Congress, staged virtually, saw sole bidder Saudi Arabia handed the event in 2034, with Spain, Portugal and Morocco, who were also unopposed, staging it in 2030 with the opening three matches to be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the centenary of the first World Cup.

The convoluted schedule for 2030 also reduced the nations able to stage the tournament in 2034 due to FIFA’s rotational policy.

That paved the way nicely for Saudi to step in, helped as they were by the bidding process lasting an inexplicably short 25 days. That caught out Australia, who were thought to be planning a bid alongside New Zealand, but Saudi Arabia had their document ready to go.

And when the rest of the Asian nations opted to back Saudi, it was a done deal.

Different reflections of Qatar 2022

It will be the first World Cup staged in the Middle East since Qatar 2022, a tournament Infantino described as an “incredible success”. Amnesty says its legacy was less progressive, labelling it “shameful” that the tournament legacy fund does not include compensation for migrant workers injured during preparations.

Speaking today before the hosts were confirmed, Infantino said: “Today, football will unite the world like nothing else can. We bring people, nations and continents together to see who will be the host of the 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cup. It promises to be an historic moment and I thank you all for being part of this history.

“We have the responsibility to unite and not to divide. No more and no less. This is exactly what we do.

“Dear friends, we live unity. We live inclusivity and we live football. Let’s make history together. Let’s unite the world with football and through football today.

“We know that this was only possible because there was understanding for each other. There was respect for each other. Everyone moved one or more steps towards the other.

“Everyone renounced and everyone gave up something for the benefit of all, for the greater good. These are precisely the values that are at the heart of Fifa and football.”

The World Cup part of Bin Salman’s vision

Handing it the World Cup strengthens Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in global sport. De-facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman made sport a key part of his Vision 2030 plan that intends to diversify the economy and improve the country’s reputation abroad.

It has staged top-level boxing, Formula One, the Club World Cup and major tennis events, as well as – through its Public Investment Fund – launching the LIV Golf Tour and buying Premier League club Newcastle United.

Concerns remain, however, about its human rights record. Over the years Saudi Arabia has faced criticism for the criminalisation of homosexuality, the restriction of free speech, the continued use of the death penalty, the country’s involvement in the conflict in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

FIFA’s ‘independent’ assessment of Saudi Arabia, conducted by a Saudi-based company, was dismissed as “fake” by Human Rights Watch.

World Cup 2034 may be in 2035

There is also the issue of when the World Cup will be staged, and if it will be in 2034 at all.

The climate means it will have to be in the European winter but November and December clash with the holy month of Ramadan, meaning it could be pushed back to January and February 2035.

There was no formal vote on the bids today with the hosts of the two events confirmed by acclamation, essentially delegates from the member nations applauding when prompted.