FIFA has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with the opening three matches in South America. The decision has sparked controversy due to "sportswashing" claims against Saudi Arabia and the combined vote for both tournaments with no separate vote available. The bid was uncontested and received support from the English, Scottish, and Welsh Football Associations. Football fans and critics alike are divided on the decision, with some questioning the fairness and integrity of FIFA's bidding process.
Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup Amid Controversy
FIFA, the governing body of international football (soccer), has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. The decision has raised eyebrows due to the country's human rights record and allegations of "sportswashing."
Historical Perspective
Saudi Arabia has a long history of hosting major sporting events. In 2019, the country hosted the Super Cup, a match between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. It also won the bid to host the 2025 Asian Games.
2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 World Cup was uncontested, as no other countries submitted a proposal. The decision was made by FIFA's governing council, which voted in favor of the Saudi bid.
Controversy
The decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia has been met with controversy. Critics argue that the country's human rights record, including restrictions on freedom of expression and the treatment of women, makes it an unsuitable host for a major sporting event.
Others have accused FIFA of "sportswashing," a practice in which authoritarian regimes use major sporting events to improve their image on the world stage.
Co-Hosted 2030 Tournament
In addition to awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, FIFA also announced that the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The three countries had jointly submitted a bid for the event.
Top FAQs
1. Why did FIFA award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia?
FIFA has not publicly stated its reasons for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. However, it is believed that the country's financial resources and its willingness to invest heavily in infrastructure played a role in the decision.
2. What are the allegations of "sportswashing" against Saudi Arabia?
Critics argue that Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 World Cup is an attempt to improve the country's image on the world stage and distract from its human rights record. They point to the fact that the country has hosted other major sporting events in recent years, including the Super Cup and the Asian Games.
3. How did FIFA respond to these allegations?
FIFA has not publicly commented on the allegations of "sportswashing" against Saudi Arabia. However, it has stated that it "takes the issue of human rights very seriously" and that it will "continue to monitor the situation in Saudi Arabia closely."
4. What are the human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has a long history of human rights abuses, including restrictions on freedom of expression, the treatment of women, and the use of torture.
5. What is the future of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia?
It is too early to say what the future holds for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. However, the controversy surrounding the decision to award the event to the country is likely to continue.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.