Saudi Arabia has just proposed to host the 2034 World Cup, what about Indonesia?

Paris, Beritasatu.com – Saudi Arabia has submitted its bid to host the 2034 World Cup to FIFA. The World Football Federation issued a report on Saturday (30/11/2024), regarding the risks of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup for human rights (HAM).

In its report, FIFA stated that Saudi Arabia did not pose a high risk to the implementation of human rights if it hosted the 2034 World Cup. The country was labeled a medium risk.

This report was issued ahead of the FIFA Congress on 11 December 2024. One of the agendas of the congress is a vote to officially designate the host of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

Saudi Arabia is currently the only candidate to host the World Cup for 2034. Meanwhile Morocco, Spain and Portugal have submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup competing with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

The 2030 World Cup is being targeted because it will mark the hundredth edition of the biggest sporting tournament in the world.

“Saudi Arabia’s offer presents a very strong overall proposition, reflected in the results of the technical evaluation, which assesses the proposed infrastructure both sporting and general and its commercial potential,” FIFA said in its report.

But world football’s governing body warned that, in terms of human rights, the efforts involved in implementing various measures, especially in certain areas, could involve significant effort and time.

FIFA said that was the basis for the increased risk rating for a bid that received an average score of 4.2 out of 5, higher than the United States, Canada and Mexico’s combined bids for the 2026 World Cup.

“It is important to note that the offer involves significant opportunities for positive impact on human rights,” FIFA added.

“There is good potential that this tournament can serve as a catalyst for a number of ongoing and future reforms, and contribute to positive human rights outcomes for people in Saudi Arabia and the region, which go beyond the scope of the tournament itself,” concluded FIFA.

In fact, in 2023, Indonesia also expressed its desire to host the 2034 World Cup. This was conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, in October 2023.

This Minister of Youth and Sports’ statement followed up on President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) wish at that time for Indonesia to become co-host 2034 FIFA World Cup. “We are following developments. Indeed, Indonesia’s positioning is what the President wants, we can at least become co-host,” said Menpora Dito on October 17 2023, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Indonesia has conveyed this desire to friendly countries who are interested in volunteering to host the 2034 World Cup. These countries are Australia and Saudi Arabia.

“We have said that we want to be a co-host. And now I will fly to Saudi Arabia to accompany the President. One of the topics that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia will discuss with the President,” explained the Minister of Youth and Sports.

“We’ll do it later updates. Communication with Australia is also underway. Communication with ASEAN countries is also ongoing. In essence, we want to be Indonesia’s position co-host“said Minister of Youth and Sports Dito.

It is known that the world football federation FIFA is giving countries in the Asia and Oceania region the opportunity to host the 2034 World Cup. Among the countries interested in hosting are Saudi Arabia and Australia.