- 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 in 2034
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FIFA has announced a change to the voting process for nations wishing to host the World Cup in a move that greatly boosts Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, according to reports.
The Middle Eastern nation wants to host the 2034 World Cup and is expected to get the necessary votes after FIFA changed the competition’s adjudication process.
Previously, there were separate voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups held in Russia and Qatar respectively, but that will now change for the countries competing to host the next editions of the iconic competition.
Instead, FIFA has decided that voting for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments will be done “en bloc”, in what is a rare rule change by football’s world governing body, as reported by the 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 aim to host the World Cup in six years.
FIFA has announced a change to the voting process for nations wishing to host the World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to continue expanding the competition to new nations.
SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal (pictured) wants to bring the World Cup to the nation
FIFA council members reached a unanimous agreement to change the previous process that makes it more difficult for disgruntled nations to confront 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 that saw Lionel Messi finally end his wait for the legendary title.
Saudi officials have also developed a strong relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is keen to see the competition expand its global reach.
Officials from the oil-rich nation recently handed out gift bags to FIFA Council members when they met at the organization’s headquarters in Zurich on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia wants to improve the 2022 Qatar World Cup in which Lionel Messi finally won the competition
However, Saudi Arabia was the only country to submit a bid for the 2034 World Cup before the deadline last year, as it looks to continue its huge investment in the world of sport.
The election to decide the proposed future venue of the World Cup will be held virtually on December 11.
Speaking previously about Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal said: “Telling our football story to the world is of enormous importance.
“We have made unprecedented progress in both men’s and women’s football, and our candidacy is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey.”