“We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway.” The iconic words of Barry from EastEnders resonated during the 2014 World Indoor Bowls Championships, symbolizing a world where power and influence often prevail over dissent. FIFA, under the leadership of Gianni Infantino, is poised to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a decision that mirrors this theme.
The 2030 World Cup bid, spanning three continents and six nations, highlights the global reach of the tournament. However, Saudi Arabia’s sole bid for 2034 seems all but confirmed. Unlike the 2010 decision to award the World Cup to Russia and Qatar, this year’s ceremony will be held online, with Infantino avoiding public scrutiny behind a screen. The announcement will feature “applause” rather than votes, a stark contrast to the boos and criticisms that typically accompany such decisions.
The Norwegian FA has taken a stand, declaring its opposition to the 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosting rights being awarded by acclamation. The English FA, while mindful of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, faces a dilemma: endorsing the tournament could be seen as hypocritical if they later participate. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer’s recent meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores the complex political dynamics at play.
A Big Website investigation revealed alarming statistics: between 2008 and 2022, at least 13,685 migrant workers from Bangladesh died in Saudi Arabia, with over 1,500 deaths in 2022 alone. Despite these grim figures, FIFA’s response to compensating migrant workers abused during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was a resounding no. As the 2034 decision looms, the question remains: will FIFA learn from past mistakes, or will history repeat itself?
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