With Saudi Arabia officially unveiled as the 2034 hosts, will fans have to endure a second-ever winter World Cup?
That is the question that will be on the minds of football fanatics across the globe. On December 11, the Middle East nation were confirmed as the tournament hosts.
FIFA’s attraction to the multi-trillionaire nation is plain to see. The endless Saudi riches bring about memories from the Qatar World Cup from 2022.
Football’s largest governing body has certainly been enticed by the financial prowess on offer. However, did player welfare, human rights and workers’ rights come into consideration? Probably not.
Furthermore, the disruption that a supposed winter World Cup will cause has a huge knock-on effect. Taking player injuries into consideration, the increase in medical care was truly astonishing in the 2022/23 domestic season.
Premier League bigwigs and those from Europe’s other top four leagues are expected to fight the decision to hold the tournament in the winter months.
If it is confirmed to be a winter World Cup, it’ll likely be held in January 2034. That would ensure no clash would exist with the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan.
The tournament is likely to span across 40 days. That would mean European domestic football will be put on hold for 7-8 weeks. Therefore fuelling a hugely congested schedule to conclude the 2033/34 campaign.
2034 Saudi Arabia Winter World Cup
🚨🏆 OFFICIAL: Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup 2034. pic.twitter.com/QDT0E0JsoK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 11, 2024
Looking closer at Saudi Arabia’s bid, they were the only nation who sought to host the 2034 tournament. With absolutely no opposition, it all became a lot easier to be awarded the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino oversaw a new voting process to determine the 2034 hosts alongside the 2030 winners on Wednesday. Co-hosts Spain, Morocco and Portugal are awarded the tournament in six years time.
Additionally, the English and Welsh FA are understood to have supported both bids. Subsequently, this move will cause controversy owing to the Saudi’s human rights record and discriminatory laws.
Figures for both governing bodies will likely be accused of hypocrisy if they weren’t to support the bids. In particular Saudi Arabia’s.
Rocking the boat at this stage is seen as an unwise move but the idea of the winter World Cup in 2034 will not go down well with European powerhouses.
Nonetheless, that is the most probable outcome at this stage. Especially when you consider how hot it can be in the summer months.
In coastal areas, it is not uncommon to entertain temperatures between 27°C to 38°C. Inland, it can reach as high as a sweltering 43°C.
Before then, the next World Cup will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026. The best football betting sites in the UK price England as the 7/1 favourites alongside France and Brazil.
