analysis
When awarding the 2030 World Cup, all possible opponents should be given gifts in order to clear the way for Saudi Arabia to the 2034 tournament. Gianni Infantino rules as president of the world football association FIFA, and everyone can see through his shenanigans.
On the afternoon of December 2, 2010, Joseph S. Blatter pulled a white sheet of paper out of an envelope in Zurich. The words that the then President of FIFA said are legendary. The introductory “And the winner is” followed an artistic pause, then a hard “Qatar”.
The small and very rich emirate from the Persian Gulf won the election. The circumstances were traditionally dubious and it stands to reason that a lot of money was involved. Shortly before the congress in question, six men from the executive committee of the world association were suspended because the media had proven that they had offered their votes for sale.
In fact, there was an election in Zurich, even among many candidates. In the first round, Australia was eliminated by just one vote, then Japan, then South Korea. The USA and Qatar remained. The final result was 14:8, and even though a lot of bargaining had been made in advance and probably paid for, there was considerable tension in the air when Blatter pulled “Qatar” out of the envelope.
Magic out of a hat
Gianni Infantino took such moments away from football. Blatter’s successor, also from Switzerland, did not conjure things up out of an envelope on Wednesday (October 4th, 2023), but out of a hat. Only people in FIFA’s inner circle probably knew that the 2030 and 2034 World Cups would be awarded at the beginning of autumn 2023.
Formally, according to FIFA’s announcement, it will be decided at a congress in 2024 that the 2030 World Cup will be held mainly in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but also in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The announcement formally invites associations from Asia and Oceania to apply for the 2034 World Cup.
That happened a short time later. Saudi Arabia registered the application. The Asian Confederacy pledged support a little later.
Infantino’s masterpiece
“And the winner is Saudi Arabia” is Wednesday’s message. It’s a masterpiece from Infantino, who now seems to not care at all that his deals can be seen by everyone.
The opening game of the 2030 World Cup in Uruguay is being packaged as a treat for the romantics because the first World Cup was also held there in 1930. Argentina also gets a game because it a) was the final opponent of the first world champion Uruguay in 1930, b) is a major football nation, c) is the current world champion. Paraguay may seem a bit surprising at first glance, but at second glance it becomes clear that this is a gift to the South American continental association Conmebol, which is based in Paraguay’s capital Asunción.
The rest of the American continent has already been served with the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, leaving Europe and Africa. The solution is Spain, Portugal and Morocco, which, when added to South America and 2026, means that in 2034, according to FIFA regulations, only Asia and/or Oceania can come into play. Since Australia switched to the Asian Confederation AFC in 2005, Oceania is effectively eliminated, as the continental association there mainly consists of representatives of small island states. There is also New Zealand, co-host of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but without any ambition to apply for a major men’s tournament.
Nice effort from the Australians
A statement from the Australian association that it is considering an application reads almost cutely. In view of its opponent Saudi Arabia, which sent a glossy video to the world on Wednesday to position itself as host in 2034.
Saudi Arabia had also thought of a solution that has now been virtually adopted, namely a World Cup in 2030 on three continents. A joint application with Egypt and Greece was under discussion. The award would have been a better fit with “Saudi Vision 2030,” a program developed by the ruling family with which the kingdom wants to slide into an age in which much less money can be earned from fossil fuels and, at some point, no money at all.
For many years, sport has also been part of the program that polishes a state in which human rights are trampled on and in which there is neither freedom of expression nor freedom of the press. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman is the de facto ruler of the vast Persian Gulf country.
Brutal ruler socially acceptable
Human rights organizations regularly point out that he takes brutal action against critics. One of the critics was called Jamal Khashoggi. The journalist was murdered in 2018 and Mohamed bin Salman is considered the client. The Crown Prince denies this.
Even documented cases of arbitrary justice, leading to the executions of even juveniles, have not resulted in Mohamed bin Salman being ostracized. At the World Cup in Qatar, Infantino sat next to the ruler and watched Saudi Arabia win against Argentina.
The sporting conditions were later corrected. Argentina became world champions, but Saudi Arabia was still eliminated after the preliminary round. In terms of sports politics, the situation is such that Argentina gets a dry nostalgic cookie, Saudi Arabia gets a fat cream cake.
Resistance? Which resistance?
Resistance is hardly to be expected from a crucial point. The bargaining fed almost everyone. The decision to host the 2030 World Cup in six countries, clearing the way for Saudi Arabia, was made “unanimously” by the Council, FIFA announced. Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association (DFB), also agreed at the digital meeting.
After the tournament in Qatar, he said that the awarding of future World Cups would also have to be linked to factors such as compliance with human rights. Neuendorf will have to measure itself against this. Ultimately, even a few critical Germans, Brits and Australians would no longer have a decisive influence on the plans of a Swiss person.