Title: Saudi Arabia positions itself as sole candidate for the 2034 World Cup after Australia’s withdrawal (Official)
Introduction: In a surprising announcement, Australia has decided to withdraw from the race to host the 2034 Men’s World Cup, leaving Saudi Arabia as the sole official candidate. The decision, confirmed by Football Australia, paves the way for the competition to take place on Saudi soil for the first time. In this article, we will examine the reasons behind Australia’s withdrawal and the implications of Saudi Arabia as a sole candidate.
Australia’s withdrawal:
In a statement released by Football Australia, the governing body of Australian football announced its decision not to bid to host the 2034 World Cup. The decision came just hours before the deadline set by the FIFA for expressions of interest. The precise reasons behind the decision were not mentioned in the statement, but it was stated that Football Australia would like to focus its efforts on other football events, such as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the World Cup. club world in 2029.
Implications for Saudi Arabia:
With Australia’s withdrawal, Saudi Arabia finds itself in the position of sole candidate to host the 2034 World Cup. This follows FIFA’s announcement that the tournament would be held in Asia or Oceania. Saudi Arabia quickly expressed its interest in becoming a candidate after this decision. This unique bid gives Saudi Arabia a good chance of winning the World Cup, although the final decision rests with FIFA.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitions:
Saudi Arabia has already hosted major sporting events, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Spanish Super Cup, and is now determined to host the World Cup. The country has invested heavily in the development of sports infrastructure and has implemented reforms to open the country to tourism and international events. Hosting the World Cup would be a showcase for Saudi Arabia, allowing it to promote its image and attract visitors from around the world.
Conclusion :
With Australia’s withdrawal, Saudi Arabia is now the only candidate in the running to host the 2034 World Cup. The decision paves the way for the tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia for the first time, which would represent a major event for the country. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports infrastructure and seeks to promote its image through sport. It remains to be seen whether FIFA will give its final approval to the Saudi candidacy, but one thing is certain, Saudi Arabia is ready to take on this challenge.