Saudi Arabia to host World Cup...Did I do a good job? "Side and Side Tension"
Saudi Arabia to host World Cup...Did I do a good job? "Side and Side Tension"
Blog Article
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host country of the 2034 FIFA Men's World Cup in November last year. FIFA selected Saudi Arabia as the host country without any competition. The Saudi World Cup will be the second World Cup to be held in Southwestern Asia following the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Amid criticism over human rights, environmental issues and sportswashing, interest and debate still linger
Under the principle of continental circulation introduced in 2023, FIFA limited the host countries for the 2034 World Cup to Asia (AFC) and Oceania (OFC). Australia, which was considered a strong contender, gave up the challenge due to lack of preparation time and Saudi Arabia's overwhelming resources. In response, Saudi Arabia secured the right to host the event through an exclusive bid.
Saudi Arabia will use 15 stadiums for the 2034 World Cup. 11 of them will be newly constructed. The stadiums that will be built in the form of high-tech sculptures attract attention due to their high-tech and unique design. As part of the smart city 'The Line' project, Neom Stadium will be built on a 350-meter cliff above the ground. With a whopping 92,760 seats, King Salman International Stadium will host the opening and final matches. FIFA praised Saudi Arabia for its design of the stadium, calling it a "new standard for future stadiums." However, concerns over environmental damage caused by massive construction remain.
Saudi Arabia has promised to minimize its environmental impact. However, the credibility is low due to FIFA's failure to declare "carbon neutrality." The construction of 11 new stadiums is bound to result in massive carbon emissions and energy consumption. Cooling systems and desalination facilities are essential, but they will obviously consume a lot of energy.
Saudi Arabia has been under international criticism for its human rights issues. It is not free from controversies such as oppression of women, punishment of homosexuality, and abuse of migrant workers. Amnesty International criticized FIFA for turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's human rights issues. The Saudi government has recently emphasized changes by establishing a women's soccer league and allowing entry to women's stadiums, saying that the World Cup will be a catalyst for national reform and social change.
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will provide the best experience to its fans by expanding airports, connecting high-speed rail links, and introducing public transportation systems. However, it is highly likely that fans will depend on flights to move around the venue due to the long distance between stadiums. Alcohol consumption is highly likely to be maintained throughout the World Cup. Due to concerns over safety of LGBTQ people, the Saudi government has only said that it welcomes all fans. It is highly likely that the event will be held in winter just like the Qatar World Cup to avoid summer heat waves. It is expected that the schedule will be adjusted so that Ramadan (November to December) does not overlap.
Saudi Arabia is strengthening its global influence by making sports the core of its national development strategy. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested heavily in Newcastle United, LIV Golf Series, and Saudi Professional League. Saudi Arabia is also growing in various fields such as Formula 1, boxing, and e-sports. Saudi Arabia plans to develop the country into a global hub through tourism, culture, and sports.
The 2034 World Cup is expected to serve as an opportunity to test FIFA's transparency and responsibility for human rights. While those in favor of it assess that "Saudi Arabia will lead economic and social changes through the World Cup," 메이저놀이터 those in favor of it questioned it as "image laundering using sports." In the end, Saudi Arabia has a task to make the World Cup more than just a sports event and a place that has a positive impact on the world.