FIFA Advances World Cup Bidding Process Amid Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — As the Paris Olympics unfold, FIFA is actively engaging with future hosts for the men’s World Cup, including Saudi Arabia. On Monday, FIFA announced the receipt of formal bid books from seven member federations vying for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. The 2030 tournament will see a collaborative effort from Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia stands as the sole candidate for the 2034 event, which was expedited by FIFA last year. The confirmation of these bids is scheduled for a virtual meeting on December 11, where FIFA's 211 member federations will finalize their decisions. In preparation, FIFA plans to release detailed project plans later this week, outlining essential elements such as stadiums, hotels, training facilities, transportation, and national security measures. The organization emphasized its commitment to a thorough evaluation of the bid books, with an assessment report expected in the last quarter of the year. In a significant development, FIFA has mandated that all World Cup bidders undergo a review of their human rights obligations. This initiative follows FIFA's invitation in May to collaborate with independent experts to evaluate the candidates. The human rights policy, established eight years ago after awarding the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar, will be applied to the current bidding process, which first took effect for the 2026 tournament candidates. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a historic expansion to 48 teams, following their successful bid over Morocco in a decisive 134-65 vote in 2018.