Former FIFA Governance Chief Says Saudi Arabia's Solo Bid for 2034 World Cup Reflects Lack of Transparency and Reform in Organization

Former governance chief of FIFA, Miguel Maduro, criticizes the "opaque, non-transparent, non-accountable" process which saw Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup; human rights activists express concern over the kingdom's record, adding pressure on FIFA's ethical standards.

Miguel Maduro, the former governance chief of FIFA, has voiced concerns that the selection process for the 2034 World Cup host country lacks transparency and accountability. Following a fast-tracked process, Saudi Arabia emerged as the solo bidder for the 2034 World Cup.
The selection process appears to favor Saudi Arabia, discouraging other potential applicants such as Australia from bidding for the 2034 World Cup. Australia's Football CEO, James Johnson, cited a lack of confidence in their bid's success as the reason for their withdrawal.
FIFA’s approach towards Saudi Arabia’s bid has drawn criticism from human rights activists who point to the kingdom's record on human rights and suggest that FIFA's ethical standards are under question.
Saudi Arabia's ambitious drive to become a global player in major sports has seen it investing heavily in sports and sports-related projects. This strategy, often referred to as sportswashing, is seen by some as an attempt to divert attention away from contentious issues such as women's rights and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Despite the controversies, Saudi Arabia's solo bid for the 2034 World Cup is likely to be confirmed by FIFA next year, culminating the kingdom's drive to raise its global profile through significant sports events.