FANS' REACTIONS to Saudi Arabia's 'done deal' to host the 2034 World Cup
Football fans have decried the decision to award the 2030 World Cup to six nations across three continents which has all but ensured Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 edition.
In a surprise move last Wednesday, FIFA announced that Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one of three opening games in the 2030 World Cup, 100 years after Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup.
And then Spain, Portugal and Morocco will share the other 101 games of a 104-game, 48-team tournament between them.
On account of the governing body's recent practice of rotating hosting duties around each confederation, FIFA then confirmed that the 2034 World Cup would be open to bidders from only Asia and Oceania.
The Saudi's were quick to throw their hat in the ring and were backed up by Sheik Salman of Bahrain, the most powerful man in Asian football, who said: 'The entire Asian football family will stand united in support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's momentous initiative, and we are committed to working closely with the global football family to ensure its success.'
Sources close to the corridors of power have told Mail Sport: ‘A Saudi World Cup in 2034 isn’t just likely, it’s basically a done deal. Money has talked again, and the event will be worth billions in new cash for FIFA.’
This series of events has not come as a shock to fans who have observed Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global game, highlighted best by the remarkable summer spending spree of a host of clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Nevertheless, many of our readers were still keen to voice their displeasure at the manner in which hosting rights appear to have been decided. One called for the outright abolition of FIFA, while another said president Gianni Infantino is no
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