- FIFA has reportedly changed its voting process ahead of the World Cup elections
- Saudi Arabia is desperate to be named host of the famous competition until 2034
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FIFA has announced a change to the voting process for countries seeking to host the World Cup, a move that will massively boost Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, reports suggest.
The Middle Eastern country wants to host the 2034 World Cup and is expected to secure the required votes after FIFA changed the procedure for awarding the competition.
Previously, there were separate votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups held in Russia and Qatar respectively, but that will now change for countries competing in the upcoming editions of the iconic competition.
Instead, FIFA has decided that voting for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments will take place ‘en bloc’ in what is a bizarre rule change from football’s global governing body, as reported by FIFA. Times.
The decision to change the award process means that if countries want to vote against Saudi Arabia, they will also vote against Spain, Portugal and Morocco, which are running to host the World Cup in six years’ time.
FIFA has announced a change to the voting process for countries wishing to host the World Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is keen to continue expanding the competition’s hosting to new countries
SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal (pictured) wants to bring the World Cup to the country
A unanimous agreement was reached by FIFA council members to change the previous process that makes it more difficult for hapless countries to go against Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom is desperate to host the World Cup after seeing neighboring Qatar become the center of the sporting world during the 2022 competition with Lionel Messi finally ending his wait for the legendary title.
Saudi Arabia officials have also developed a strong relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is keen to see the league expand its global reach.
Officials from the oil-rich country recently handed out goodie bags to FIFA council members when they met at the organization’s headquarters in Zurich on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia wants to improve on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Lionel Messi finally won the competition
However, Saudi Arabia was the only country to bid for the 2034 World Cup before the deadline last year as they look to continue their huge investments in the world of sports.
The elections to decide the future organization of the Football World Cup will take place virtually on December 11.
SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal previously said of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions: ‘Telling our football story to the world is of enormous importance.
“We have made unprecedented progress in both the men’s and women’s games, and our bid is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey.”
