Australia withdrew from hosting the 2034 World Cup just before the deadline. With this move, it seems a formality that Saudi Arabia will be appointed as the host country.
Australia had previously emerged as a potential contender but has decided, after careful consideration, not to nominate itself for the 2034 World Cup. This was revealed in a statement published on the website of the Australian Football Association (FA) on Tuesday.
The FA believes it has a better chance of organizing the Asian Cup for women in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029. Earlier this year, Australia, together with New Zealand, hosted the Women's World Cup.
Australia's decision not to submit a bid for the 2034 World Cup seems to mean that Saudi Arabia will be handed the tournament. Since the 2026 World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and the 2030 World Cup will be played in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain after a brief start in South America, this means that according to FIFA's statutes, Asia and Oceania are the only continents eligible to host the 2034 World Cup.
The growing influence of Saudi Arabia in global football is controversial due to the regime in the Arabian country. This year, various European stars signed million-dollar contracts in the Saudi Pro League, while Saudi investors also have plans to buy into European clubs. This has already happened with Newcastle United. Now, it seems that the way is also clear for a World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which has participated in six World Cup finals since its debut in 1994.
