Congratulations to Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup after Australia, reading the runes having been given a month to prepare a bid for a tournament 11 years away, decided not to get involved. In theory, of course, the Saudi bid still has to be examined and ratified before a formal decision is announced next year, but Gianni Infantino acknowledged that is a rare and unwelcome vestige of due process at Fifa by announcing the Saudi success on Instagram.
Here’s to the future, and let nobody worry that homosexuality being illegal and women’s rights severely restricted in Saudi Arabia seem not entirely compliant with Fifa’s statutes on discrimination.
