Saudi Arabia Officially Named Host of 2034 Soccer World Cup
variety.comAlex Ritman Saudi Arabia has been named host of the men’s 2034 World Cup tournament, soccer’s biggest event and the most watched global sporting competition.
The Kingdom was all but guaranteed hosting rights back in October when Australia — considered the only other potential challenger — pulled out, but has now been official crowned by soccer’s governing body FIFA.
FIFA also on Wednesday announced that Spain, Portugal and Morocco would be joint hosts of the 2030 tournament — also fully expected given they were the only remaining bid — but Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly spark the most headlines and controversy.
The country has spent billions investing in sport in the years since being opened up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with soccer among the main achievements thanks to a number of newly-built stadiums and huge names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema enticed to the Kingdom.
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