Second winter World Cup all but certain with Saudi Arabia set to be named 2034 hosts after Fifa change vote protocol
PREM chiefs are facing an uphill battle to stop a SECOND winter World Cup.
Saudi Arabia will be named the 2034 hosts at a ‘virtual’ meeting of Fifa’s 211 associations today.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino will oversee a vote that will see the 2030 and 2034 tournaments awarded as a joint package, with no possibility for associations to object to either tournament individually.
In a further sign of Infantino’s power, the FA will line up with most of the other European associations to nod through the two hosting decisions “by acclamation”.
The Norwegian FA are likely to be the lone voice speaking out after Oslo officials criticised the “flawed” process.
But the FA, keen on hosting the 2029 Women’s World Cup, is understood to be reluctant to rock the apple cart and follow suit.
The 2030 event will mainly be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, although the opening three matches will be split between Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Confirmation that Saudi Arabia will host another desert event, 12 years after the first winter tournament in Qatar in 2022, will lead to a backlash from Europe’s top leagues.
Prem chief executive Richard Masters is certain to be among those fighting a winter tournament.
The Saudi tournament is likely to be played over 38 days from the start of January 2034 to avoid a clash with the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan in November and December.
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Europe’s biggest leagues, fearful of SEVEN WEEKS of no club football to accommodate the event, are certain to try to block it from being played in the middle of the season.
The World Cup in 2022 was won by Argentina in Qatar after a thrilling final against France.
Full list of Saudi Arabia's amazing stadiums
Riyadh
- King Salman International Stadium – 92,760
- King Fahad Sports City Stadium – 70,200
- Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium – 46,979
- New Murabba Stadium – 46,010
- Roshn Stadium – 46,000
- Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium – 46,865
- South Riyadh Stadium – 47,060
- King Saud University Stadium – 46,319
Jeddah
- King Abdullah Sports City Stadium – 58,432
- Qiddiya Coast Stadium – 46,096
- Jeddah Central Development Stadium – 45,794
- King Abdullah Economic City Stadium – 45,700
Al Khobar
- Aramco Stadium – 46,096
Abha
- King Khalid University Stadium – 45,428
Neom
- Neom Stadium – 46,010
Lionel Messi achieved his dream of leading his country to the heralded trophy after a penalty shootout.
England reached the quarter-finals in the tournament but were knocked out by finalists France.
The Three Lions will be led by German manager Thomas Tuchel at the 2028 edition as they bid to win the trophy for the first time since 1966.
My view
NOBODY wants another winter World Cup.
But Prem chiefs are burying their heads in the desert sands to try to block Fifa from staging 2034 in Saudi Arabia during January and February.
Moving the showpiece to mid-season once again will be a huge disruption — that’s obvious.
It would mean a minimum seven weeks without top-flight action.
And will also see concertinaed domestic and European schedules in the seasons either side of the World Cup, with even less rest for already over-played stars.
Yet what is the alternative when you could fry an egg on the pavements in Riyadh, Jeddah and the still-to-be-built city of Neom in June and July
With 45C-plus temperatures, everyone just has to bite the bullet and get on with it.