MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 08:40:45| >> :120:75860:75860:

FIFA president confirms Saudi Arabia will host 2034 World Cup

FIFA president confirms Saudi Arabia will host 2034 World Cup
© Reuters
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirms Saudi Arabia as the hosts of the 2034 World Cup after Australia decide against bidding.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.

Football's world governing body had previously stated that the 2034 edition of the tournament would take place in Asia or Oceania.

Australia were expected to be the only country to rival Saudi Arabia, which confirmed its intention to bid in early October.

However, Australia confirmed that they have decided against submitting a rival bid just hours before Tuesday's deadline for declarations of interest.

Instead of bidding for the World Cup, Football Australia are now set to turn their attention to gaining the rights to host the Women's Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029.

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the World Cup on December 18, 2022© Reuters

Following Australia's decision, Infantino took to social media to announce that the 2034 World Cup will be heading to Saudi Arabia.

In an Instagram post, Infantino said: "The bidding processes were approved by consensus via the FIFA Council - where all six confederations are represented - after constructive dialogue and extensive consultation. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this positive exchange.

"Football unites the world like no other sport, and the FIFA World Cup is the perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion, as well as providing an important illustration of how different cultures can be together and can learn and better understand one another.

"As we live in an increasingly divided and aggressive world, we show once again that football, the leading global sport, unites like nothing else.

"We all need these occasions of unity and the upcoming FIFA World Cups provide a unique force for good in this respect."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the stands before the match on August 2, 2023© Reuters

A FIFA Congress will take place late this year to confirm the hosts for 2034 and the 2030 edition, which is set to be shared between six countries.

FIFA have already revealed that Spain, Portugal and Morocco will be co-hosts for the 2030 tournament, with the opening three matches set to take place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The next World Cup in 2026 will be the second tournament to be held across multiple nations following the 2002 edition in Japan and South Korea.

USA, Canada and Mexico will be the hosts in three years' time, with the tournament set to be expanded to 48 teams.

ID:527894:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3650:

Click here for more stories about Gianni Infantino

Click here for more stories about Saudi Arabia

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the World Cup on December 18, 2022
Read Next:
Three continents to host 2030 World Cup
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Gianni Infantino Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!