Australia decided on Tuesday October 31 to abandon its candidacy to host the 2034 Football World Cup, further strengthening the position of Saudi Arabia, more than ever favorite to host the event.
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“ We studied the possibility of submitting a bid to host the FIFA World Cup and, after taking into account all factors, we decided not to do so for the competition organized in 2034 », Writes the Australian Football Federation in a press release. After announcing that it was in discussions with Australia for a joint candidacy for the organization of the 2034 World Cup, the Indonesian football federation finally supported the Saudi candidacy around ten days ago, already officially supported by the Asian Football Confederation. . The deadline for sending applications was set for October 31 by Fifa.
Saudi Arabia invests massively in football
At the beginning of October, Fifa designated Spain, Morocco and Portugal as hosts of the 2030 edition of the World Cup. She then launched a call for applications for that of 2034, limiting it to the Asian and Oceanic confederations, in the name of the principle of rotation. Which makes the Saudis’ candidacy easier. After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, a neighboring country, should therefore organize the first global sporting event.
A few months ago, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa said: “ Saudi Arabia is arriving in force and we are coordinating with the other Confederations and Fifa to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034, in agreement with everyone, so that, once the file has been submitted, we are at least 90% confident. »
Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, which was already targeting the 2030 World Cup, is currently investing massively to carve out a place for itself in world football, like its clubs, which have, for example, succeeded in attracting This summer, football stars like the French Karim Benzema or the Brazilian Neymar will play in the Saudi Pro League.
The Asian Winter Games in 2029
For several years, Saudi Arabia has decided to invest massively in sport. The Kingdom has just hosted the World Combat Sports Games in Riyadh (October 20 to 30). Saudi Arabia has created an investment company to “ accelerate the growth of the sports sector » and “ world events “. The cradle of Islam notably financed the LIV Golf golf circuit and hosts a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
According to the 2022 annual report, sports investment company assets amount to more than 540 billion euros. Sport is a way for oil-rich Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy. Saudi Arabia wants to reduce its dependence on this resource. The 2029 Asian Winter Games will be held in Saudi Arabia.
“ Saudi Arabia is in a logic of global power. She is aiming for a place in the top ranks. Unlike Qatar, the Saudi objective must be understood in a broader perspective. They do not want to exist or secure their independence and sovereignty. They want to influence world affairs and continue to be able to do so », Recently estimated Jean-Baptiste Guégan, specialist and professor in sports geopolitics on RMC sport.