FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the 2034 World Cup has been awarded to Saudi Arabia, with Portugal, Morocco, and Spain joining forces to host the 2030 tournament. Infantino praised the decision, stating that expanding the number of teams has not diluted the quality of the tournament. The Saudi Crown Prince expressed excitement about hosting the event, promising an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the World Cup. However, the decision has faced criticism from groups concerned about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Various international organizations have warned FIFA about the risks of human rights abuses and exploitation of workers in Saudi Arabia. Previous World Cup events in Qatar were also marred by controversy, with reports of migrant worker deaths during construction. The upcoming World Cups in 2026 and 2027 will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil, respectively. The events are expected to showcase top-level football competition, but concerns remain about the treatment of workers and human rights issues in the host countries. FIFA has been urged to prioritize human rights protections and reforms in the lead-up to these tournaments.
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