The Football Association (FA) of England has stated that it received assurances from Saudi Arabia that LGBTQ+ fans would be “safe and welcome” at the 2034 World Cup, explaining its support for the Gulf nation’s successful bid.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 tournament, reinforcing the country’s growing influence in global sports, despite ongoing criticism of its human rights record.
Alongside this announcement, FIFA also revealed that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal would jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with some matches to be played in South America.
The decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia is expected to reignite discussions on human rights, similar to the controversy surrounding the 2022 tournament in Qatar. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in his closing remarks at the congress, emphasized that the organization is “inclusive” and “non-discriminatory.” He expressed confidence that the hosts would address any concerns and deliver a tournament that meets global expectations.
In its statement, the English FA explained its support for the 2030 and 2034 bids. It said the FA board met with Saudi football officials last month to discuss the bid in detail. “We asked them to commit to ensuring all fans would be safe and welcome in Saudi Arabia in 2034, including LGBTQ+ fans,” the FA said.
The FA received assurances from Saudi officials that they are fully committed to providing a welcoming environment for all fans. The statement also reiterated that “football is a global game for everyone,” stressing the importance of respecting diversity, religions, and cultures.
“We believe hosting World Cups can be a catalyst for positive change, best achieved through collaboration with host nations,” the FA added. It also confirmed its commitment, along with FIFA and UEFA, to ensuring human rights are respected during the event.