Saudi Arabia is ready to host the 2034 World Cup in summer time or winter, its soccer chief instructed AFP, because the conservative oil big was anointed the event’s host simply weeks after saying a bid. The quickfire crowning of the alcohol-free desert monarchy, which first allowed non-religious overseas vacationers in 2019, comes lower than a 12 months after neighbouring Qatar held the primary winter World Cup, and the primary within the Middle East.

Despite summer time temperatures touching 50 levels Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) within the main cities, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal didn’t rule out taking part in the event within the hottest months.

“Of course, we are ready for all possibilities,” Misehal stated late on Tuesday on the Asian Football Confederation awards in Doha, when requested concerning the event’s timing.

“Today there are many new technologies that help you with cooling or adding air conditioners in stadiums, in addition to the fact that there are many cities in the kingdom that enjoy a very wonderful atmosphere in the summer,” he stated.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s greatest oil exporter which is present process dizzying financial reforms, threw its hat within the ring on October 4, simply 27 days earlier than a truncated bidding course of for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups ended on Tuesday.

With the 2026 event set for the US, Canada and Mexico, and 2030 destined for Spain, Morocco and Portugal with South American involvement, solely candidates from the Asian and Oceanian confederations have been eligible for 2034, on account of FIFA’s continental rotation coverage.

After Australia, the one different potential bidder, dropped out on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia was the only candidate. Its profitable bid was confirmed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Instagram.

Human rights

The World Cup is simply the newest in a string of Saudi sporting acquisitions underneath its 38-year-old de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, together with Formula One, heavyweight boxing, Newcastle United and LIV Golf.

Saudi golf equipment backed by the Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth automobile have signed off a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} on star footballers this 12 months, hiring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema in an unprecedented binge.

However, severe human rights issues proceed to plague Saudi Arabia, together with the 2018 homicide of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, legal guidelines towards homosexuality, gender inequality, freedom of speech and frequent use of the demise penalty.

Awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia “despite its appalling human rights record and closed door to any monitoring exposes FIFA’s commitments to human rights as a sham”, stated Minky Worden, director of world initiatives at Human Rights Watch.

However, SAFF stated internet hosting the event is an “honour and privilege”, in an announcement posted on social media late on Tuesday.

“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 stated.

Going it alone

Misehal additionally indicated that Saudi Arabia intends to push forward and host the event alone, with out asking its neighbours to carry any video games.

That would make Saudi the primary nation to organise the newly expanded, 48-team World Cup by itself, after the joint hostings in 2026 and 2030.

“Saudi Arabia will submit a separate bid,” Misehal stated, when requested if one other nation would maintain any matches.

Summers within the desert kingdom can contact 50 levels Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), temperatures that may be thought-about harmful for soccer and certain too sizzling for followers to be exterior.

Some cities get pleasure from temperate climate in the summertime, together with Abha, Taif and Al-Baha, which hosted the Arab Club Champions Cup in July and August.

However, none of these cities has international-level stadiums, and the larger Saudi venues are clustered within the main cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.

Despite questions over the bidding course of and human rights, residents of the capital Riyadh hailed the information that Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup.

“Saudi Arabia hosting World Cup 2034 is great news and it didn’t come from nowhere,” stated 62-year-old Saud al-Oreifi, pointing to the nation’s rising portfolio of sports activities occasions.

“It came as a result of efforts and successes achieved in the past.”

Kuwaiti customer Thamer al-Choiebi was equally enthusiastic, saying: “I am proud in front of the whole world that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia will honour not only the Saudis but the whole Arab region.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)