Saudi Arabia Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal recently talked about the 2034 World Cup. With the 2026 World Cup being held in North America and the 2030 World Cup being hosted in Argentina, Uruguay, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, Saudi Arabia has bagged the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. However, there have been controversies about the host selection.
Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has emerged to be a major soccer-playing nation. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has led to a rapid increase in the popularity of the Saudi Pro League. Nevertheless, there has been criticism over FIFA’s selection of Saudi as the host nation for the 2030 World Cup. However, in an interview with the BBC‘s Don Roan, Prince Abdulaziz has dismissed the criticisms.
Responding to Roan’s question about whether Saudi is a suitable host, Prince Abdulaziz said, “I think we have showcased that we’ve hosted more than 85 global events. We’ve delivered on the highest level.” He also dismissed the reported allegations of ‘sportswashing’ leveled against Saudi Arabia to be “very shallow.” The Sports Minister was also asked about the ongoing human rights violations in the country.
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Prince Abdulaziz defended his country by saying, “No one’s perfect and we acknowledge that.” He further talked about the steps the country is initiating to reduce human rights violations and increase women’s participation in sports. Interestingly, since 2021, Saudi Arabia has invested a massive $6.2 billion in sports. Several sporting events are being held in Saudi Arabia now, including soccer, F1, and even boxing and UFC events.
Saudi Arabia Sports Minister asks the LGBTQ community to respect the country’s rules
Meanwhile, Prince Abdulaziz was also asked about how Saudi Arabia would tackle the LGBTQ community during such major sporting events, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The journalist asked whether the Middle Eastern country would undertake any precautions to ensure the security of the LGBTQ community. To which, the Sports Minister replied, “Everyone’s welcome in the kingdom.“
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister believes the nation is a suitable host for the 2034 World Cup.
That is despite concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Read more from @danroan‘s exclusive interview 👇#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/dbFDeBfjWi
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 8, 2023
However, he also mentioned that like every country, Saudi Arabia also has their own set of rules. Therefore, everyone, including the LGBTQ community, should respect and abide by the country’s rules. However, he also assured that the country hasn’t had any problems with the LGBTQ community in the 85 global events they have hosted so far.
🚨| FIFA announces armbands and campaigns players are allowed to back at the Women’s World Cup.
Rules from the Qatar Men’s World Cup remain, if a player wears their own armband during a game, including a “One Love” or rainbow band, they will face a sanction. pic.twitter.com/VSinTl4McJ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 30, 2023
Interestingly, the LGBTQ community’s treatment in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was a major point of controversy. Qatar had strictly prohibited any public display about the LGBTQ community during the World Cup in light of its anti-LGBTQ policies. FIFA had also instructed that any team who decided to wear the “One Love” armbands in support of the LGBTQ community would be punished.