Saudi Arabia is considering summer and winter World Cups – only candidate for hosting in 2034

taketonews

After criticism of the Qatar finals

Saudi Arabia wants to check whether the 2034 World Cup can also take place in the classic World Cup months of June and July. Both a summer and a winter World Cup are possible, said the country’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, in an interview published on Friday with the British broadcaster “BBC“. “We are definitely looking at both options to see what is the best way to host the World Cup.”

The 2022 World Cup in neighboring Qatar was held in winter because of the high summer temperatures, which caused a lot of international criticism. In June, the average temperature in the Saudi capital Riyadh is over 40 degrees Celsius and in Jeddah on the Red Sea it is 38 degrees. In November it would be a little cooler with average temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius. “For us, it doesn’t matter whether it takes place in summer or winter,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said in the interview, “as long as we ensure that we create the right atmosphere for such an event.”

This is how the hosts performed at World Cups

2022 | Qatar | Group stage (against Senegal, Netherlands, Ecuador)

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2018 | Russia | Quarterfinals (5:6 nE against Croatia)

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World champion: France

2014 | Brazil | 4th place (0:3 against Netherlands)

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World champion: Germany

2010 | South Africa | Group stage (against Mexico, Uruguay, France)

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World champion: Spain

2006 | Germany | 3rd place (3:1 against Portugal)

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World champion: Italy

2002 | Japan & South Korea | Round of 16 (0:1 vs. Turkey) & 4th place (2:3 vs. Turkey)

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World champion: Brazil

1998 | France | World champion (3-0 against Brazil)

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1994 | USA | Round of 16 (0-1 against Brazil)

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World champion: Brazil

1990 | Italy | 3rd place (2:1 against England)

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World champion: Germany

1986 | Mexico | Quarterfinals (1:4 nE against Germany)

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World champion: Argentina

1982 | Spain | Group stage (against Germany, England)

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World champion: Italy

1978 | Argentina | World champion (3:1 aet against Netherlands)

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1974 | Germany | World champion (2:1 against Netherlands)

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1970 | Mexico | Quarterfinals (1:4 against Italy)

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World champion: Brazil

1966 | England | World champion (4:2 aet against Germany)

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1962 | Chile | 3rd place (1:0 against Yugoslavia)

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World champion: Brazil

1958 | Sweden | Final (2:5 against Brazil)

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1954 | Switzerland | Quarterfinals (5:7 against Austria)

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World champion: Germany

1950 | Brazil | Final group (against Spain, Sweden, Uruguay)

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World champion: Uruguay

1938 | France | Quarterfinals (1:3 against Italy)

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World champion: Italy

1934 | Italy | World champion (2:1 aet in the final against Czechoslovakia)

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1930 | Uruguay | World champion (4:2 in the final against Argentina)

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For the awarding of the men’s World Cups in 2030 and 2034, the Council of the world association FIFA surprisingly made a fundamental decision in October, which was also criticized by human rights organizations: In 2030, the World Cup will be played predominantly in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening games in South America to mark the 100th anniversary the World Cup. For 2034, only one host from Asia or the Oceania region is possible – the only candidate is Saudi Arabia.

At the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, temperatures of 30 degrees and more will also prevail in some of the 16 venues. The home stadiums of the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, where it is likely to be particularly hot, are therefore air-conditioned and have structures that allow the playing field to be completely covered.

Atlanta to Vancouver: The 2026 World Cup stadiums sorted by size

Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Capacity: 87,523

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MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | Capacity: 82,500

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 87,157

AT&T Stadium | Arlington | Capacity: 80,000

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 92,967

Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | Capacity: 76,416

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 76,640

NRG Stadium | Houston | Capacity: 72,220

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Mercedes Benz Stadium | Atlanta | Capacity: 71,000

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 75,000

SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | Capacity: 70,240

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Could be expanded to 100,240

Lincoln Financial Field | Philly | Capacity: 69,796

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 69,328

Lumen Field | Seattle | Capacity: 69,000

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Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara | Capacity: 68,500

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 70,909

Gillette Stadium | Boston | Capacity: 65,878

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 70,000

Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | Capacity: 64,767

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 67,518

BC Place | Vancouver | Capacity: 54,500

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Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | Capacity: 53,500

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 53,460

Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | Capacity: 49,850

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Capacity stated for the World Cup: 48,071

BMO Field | Toronto | Capacity: 30,000

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Will expand to 45,500 for the tournament

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