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FIFA has finally confirmed the worst-kept secret in football – as the hosts of the next two World Cups were announced.
After a “virtual Congress” of the 211-member national asso- ciations, Zurich chiefs announced the 2030 event will be pri- marily staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
But to mark the Centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, the first three games of the 2030 tourna- ment will all be held in South America – in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
And the Fifa membership also agreed – in a joint decision approved “by acclamation” – that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 tournament as part of the Gulf state’s £2.5TRILLION ($3.2trillion) mega project.
Both host decisions had been signposted 14 months ago after Fifa President Gianni Infantino cut a deal with South American chiefs to open the way for the Saudis.
Since then, Fifa have gone through a formal “evaluation” process of the two bids – which both unsurprisingly passed with flying colours.
But Infantino left no room for any criticism as he ensured there was no way for nations to raise issues such as human rights in Saudi without voting against BOTH bids.
While the English FA meekly fell in line with Fifa – with Wembley chiefs mulling a 2029 Women’s World Cup bid and unwilling to damage the chances of that succeeding – the Norwegian and Danish FAs did both register their frustration at the mechanism. Norwegian FA President Lise Klaveness made it clear she would abstain rather than vote in favour.
Denmark did support the decision but stated it “expects Fifa to follow up on demands for human rights, freedom of expression and equal access to World Cup matches”.
Meanwhile, the Swiss FA’s support came alongside a demand for Fifa to establish “independent bodies to guaran- tee human rights and transparency” in the Gulf state.
Spain has proposed 11 stadia in nine cities, with six cities put forward by Morocco and Lisbon and Porto in Portugal.
One of the Moroccan venues would be the record-break- ing Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, set to be built by 2028 with a staggering capacity of 115,000 – making it the biggest football ground in the world.
However, the epic new stadium may not even get to host the final – with Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabeu or the updated home of Barcelona, the Nou Camp, both keen.
Speaking of futuristic purpose-built new grounds, the Saudi bid foresees 15 venues across five cities, Riyadh, Jed- dah, Abha, Khobar and Neom – a city which is still in construc- tion and is not due to be completed until five years AFTER the World Cup. − Sun.
Online Reporter