Saudi Arabia is prepared to host the 2034 World Cup in summer or winter, as the conservative oil giant was anointed the tournament's host.
DOHA, Qatar -- Saudi Arabia is prepared to host the 2034 World Cup in summer or winter, its football chief told AFP, as the conservative oil giant was anointed the tournament's host just weeks after announcing a bid.
"Of course, we are ready for all possibilities," Misehal said late on Tuesday at the Asian Football Confederation awards in Doha, when asked about the tournament's timing. With the 2026 tournament set for the US, Canada and Mexico, and 2030 destined for Spain, Morocco and Portugal with South American involvement, only candidates from the Asian and Oceanian confederations were eligible for 2034, due to FIFA's continental rotation policy.
However, serious human rights concerns continue to plague Saudi Arabia, including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, laws against homosexuality, gender inequality, freedom of speech and frequent use of the death penalty. "Driven by a huge passion for the game by our young nation, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is fully committed to meeting and exceeding the bid's requirements," it said.Misehal also indicated that Saudi Arabia intends to push ahead and host the tournament alone, without asking its neighbors to hold any games.
Summers in the desert kingdom can touch 50 degrees Celsius , temperatures that would be considered dangerous for football and likely too hot for fans to be outside.
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