Saudi Arabia's Sporting Influence Grows Amid World Cup Bid With the World Cup set to make a return to the Arab world in 2034, Saudi Arabia stands as the sole bidder to host the prestigious tournament, following Australia's withdrawal from contention. The recent hosting of major sporting spectacles, notably Formula One races and boxing events, has underscored Saudi Arabia's emergence as a prominent destination for global sporting events. Their strategic investments in initiatives like LIV Golf and the Saudi Professional League have disrupted the traditional order in golf and soccer, respectively. The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nasr Club post the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup final has sparked a surge of high-profile signings, signaling Saudi Arabia's ambitions to elevate its league to a global stature. For Saudi Arabia, securing the rights to host the World Cup represents a significant achievement, akin to Qatar's strategies that have been criticized for allegedly using sports to deflect attention from human rights violations. While the Sports and Rights Alliance, comprising nine global human rights advocates and anti-corruption groups in sports, has urged FIFA to prioritize human rights protection ahead of the 2034 tournament, it remains uncertain whether FIFA will respond to these calls. Assessing the impact of Qatar 2022, tangible progress on the ground appears slower post-event, although developments continue. However, the legacy of the event is more evident in setting a blueprint for other nations in the region to host global sporting extravaganzas. #sportnews #iran #irannews #amird.news
