Current:Home > MySaudi Arabia becomes sole bidder for 2034 World Cup after Australia drops out -Visionary Wealth Guides
Saudi Arabia becomes sole bidder for 2034 World Cup after Australia drops out
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-08 05:56:57
Football Australia has announced it will not be hosting the 2034 World Cup, hours before FIFA's deadline for bids passed — paving the way for Saudi Arabia to do so.
"We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition," a statement from the country's sports governing body read.
Instead, Football Australia will focus on hosting the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 as well as the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
"For international tournament hosting, the Australian time zones provide significant opportunities for broadcasters, and we are within touching distance of billions of people in Asia and Oceania, which also helps to provide a strong commercial outlook for competitions," Football Australia said.
FIFA had previously announced that the tournament would take place in either Asia or Oceania and Tuesday was the last day for countries to submit a bid. Australia's decision to pull out leaves Saudi Arabia as the only declared candidate.
The Gulf country has made its interest in hosting the 2034 tournament well-known, getting support from members of the Asian Football Confederation, including Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, India and Japan, reported The Associated Press earlier this month.
"Japan has a plan to host the FIFA World Cup by 2050 but now it's time for Asia to get united and make a single bid [for 2034]," Japanese federation official Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said, praising Saudi Arabia for a "long football history, massive passion and a wonderful vision for 2034."
Despite such strong support, Saudi Arabia will likely be viewed as a controversial host, with human rights organizations preemptively decrying the move.
Human Rights Watch published a post on its website last week, decrying the possible — now likely — 2034 host.
"The possibility that FIFA could award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup despite its appalling human rights record and closed door to any monitoring exposes Fifa's commitments to human rights as a sham," said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives.
On Tuesday, Amnesty International pushed for "human rights commitments" with any potential hosts before a final decision is made.
"FIFA must now make clear how it expects hosts to comply with its human rights policies," Steve Cockburn, the charity's head of economic and social justice, said. "It must also be prepared to halt the bidding process if serious human rights risks are not credibly addressed.
"The best chance for FIFA to obtain binding guarantees to protect workers' rights, ensure freedom of expression and prevent discrimination linked to the World Cup is during the host selection process — not after the hosts have been confirmed and tournament preparation has begun."
The country draws frequent criticism for its prolific use of the death penalty, executing 147 people last year, according to an AFP tally. Eighty-one people were put to death on a single day for offenses related to "terrorism," sparking an international outcry.
The 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, hurt the country's reputation.
Michael RoppoloMichael Roppolo is a CBS News reporter. He covers a wide variety of topics, including science and technology, crime and justice, and disability rights.
TwitterveryGood! (7139)
Related
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Wisconsin judge rules governor properly used partial veto powers on literacy bill
- Release the kraken: You can now buy the Lowe's Halloween line in stores
- Did the algorithm kill the pop star? What Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and 'Brat' tell us.
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- US Postal Service is abandoning a plan to reroute Reno-area mail processing to Sacramento
- The price of happiness? $200,000, according to one recent survey
- Score the Iconic Spanx Faux Leather Leggings for Just $33 & Flash Deals Up to 70% Off, Starting at $9!
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Philip Morris International is expanding Kentucky factory to boost production of nicotine pouches
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Brooke Shields Cries After Dropping Off Daughter Grier at College
- A ban on outdoor burning is set in 7 Mississippi counties during dry conditions
- Stormy sky and rainbow created quite a scene above Minnesota Twins’ Target Field
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Horoscopes Today, August 26, 2024
- Second Romanian gymnast continuing to fight for bronze medal in Olympic floor final
- Horoscopes Today, August 26, 2024
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Today Only! Run to Coach Outlet's Sitewide Sale & Save up to 90% off Bags, Wallets & More Starting at $21
Newsom’s hands-on approach to crime in California cities gains critics in Oakland
As NFL's ultimate kickoff X-factor, Cordarrelle Patterson could produce big returns for Steelers
Travis Hunter, the 2
Teen Mom’s Kailyn Lowry Shares Heartbreaking Way She Lost Her Virginity at Age 14
Carrie Underwood Breaks Silence on Replacing Katy Perry on American Idol 20 Years After Win
All of You Will Love John Legend's Meaningful Tattoo Tribute to Chrissy Teigen and Kids