The near certainty that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men's World Cup unites two of the most influential men in world sports: the leader of soccer's governing body and the kingdom's crown prince.Under its President Gianni Infantino, FIFA has become increasingly involved...
GENEVA — The near certainty that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men's World Cup unites two of the most influential men in world sports: the leader of soccer's governing body and the kingdom's crown prince.
Infantino has lavished praise on soccer-hosting heads of state and has built a deepening bond with Saudi Arabia since a December 2017 visit to King Salman, Prince Mohammed's father, in Riyadh. He also has been spending increasing amounts of time with Prince Mohammed, known to many as by his initials MbS.
Soccer is one powerful element of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 program, which includes building up the tourism and entertainment sectors for the future of the oil-rich kingdom in a world moving to renewable energy. The realities of soccer politics meant 2030 was clearly Europe’s turn after Russia hosted in 2018, Qatar had 2022 and the 2026 World Cup will be in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
A further FIFA thumb on the scales was giving eligible members just 27 days to meet a tight deadline to enter, and just one month more to sign detailed bid documents.
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