Berlin, 12 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Saudi Arabia has been elected host of the 2034 men's football World Cup, amid criticism from human rights groups and concerns that Wednesday's decision by the congress of ruling body FIFA could mean another tournament in the northern hemisphere winter.

At an extraordinary virtual congress, and in the absence of rival bidders, the 211 FIFA members confirmed via one acclamation that Morocco, Portugal and Spain will co-host the 2030 World Cup.

That event will start with three matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to celebrate a century since the first World Cup 1930 in Uruguay.

All countries presented videos before the vote to showcase their bids, with Portugal great Luis Figo starring in a humorous film for the joint 2030 bid.

Two 13-year-old youth representatives starting the Saudi presentation, and the nation pledged to deliver "a next generation World Cup for a new generation of fans."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke "a historic moment" and added: "Let's unite the world with football and through football."

Door open for Saudi Arabia

This plan was announced by FIFA last year and opened the door for Saudi Arabia in 2034 under FIFA's rotation scheme through its confederations.

With the 2026 event in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and 2030 in Europe, Africa and South America, only bidders from Asia and Oceania were permitted for 2034.

Saudi Arabia announced its intention within hours of FIFA's statement last year, and was the lone bidder once Australia said it would not enter the race.

The Norwegian Football Federation said it would abstain if the vote came to acclamation after being unhappy with FIFA awarding two tournaments at the same time.

The FIFA members on Wednesday decided by a first acclamation to chose the hosts by acclamation instead of a regular vote.

Infantino initiated the double awarding of the tournament just over a year ago, after it was originally abandoned via FIFA reforms following a scandal surrounding the double awarding of the 2018 tournament to Russia and 2022 to Qatar.

The human rights issue

Wednesday's vote was merely a rubber-stamping as Infantino had backed Saudi Arabia, a FIFA evaluation had given the country good marks, while at the same time speaking only of a "medium risk" regarding human rights.

Human rights groups from Amnesty International to ALQST tried in vain to prevent the decision, citing human rights violations in various areas, and accusing the country of using sports events to improve its image, a method they call sports-washing.

Landing the World Cup is the biggest coup so far for the rich Gulf kingdom which has invested heavily in sport in recent years, including a FIFA sponsorship by state oil company Aramco, as part of a "Vision 2030" reform package to make it less dependent on oil income and drive social change.

"We are opening up to the world and want to create a better life for the people in our country," sports minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud said in the presentation, pledging to stage "what promises to be the best World Cup in history."

It will be the second World Cup in the region following Qatar 2022, which was also accompanied by a human rights debate.

Another winter World Cup?

The Qatar tournament was played in November and December because it is too hot in the traditional World Cup months of June and July.

The same could happen again in 2034 but the Qatar dates appear unlikely because FIFA would respect the holy month of Ramadan which runs from November 11 to December 10 that year.

There have been reports of an early January start despite a potential partial overlap with the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics that are to open on February 10, 2034. April and May have also been mentioned.

The disruption, especially to the major football markets in Europe, will be bigger than in Qatar.

The 2034 event will be played with 48 teams and not 32 as in 2022, making the tournament longer and featuring more teams from Europe, which for its part has expanded its own events.

The 2030 tournament

Four years earlier, the World Cup will come to Africa for the second time, with Morocco following South Africa in 2010.

Morocco originally bid on its own but then joined 1982 hosts Spain and Portugal for a joint bid.

South American had its own bid by Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, but the FIFA Council chose the other bid, while at least giving the first three games to the South Americans with the exception of Chile, and a celebration event in Montevideo.

MIA file photo