Since its inception, FIFA has been the epitome of everything wrong with sports. It’s an organization that values financial gain (often through corrupt means) and shows no real regard for the global impact of its decisions.
But just when you think FIFA can’t get any worse than it did by holding a winter World Cup in Qatar, FIFA finds a way to sink lower.
On Wednesday, the soccer’s governing body announced an unprecedented plan for the 2030 World Cup. The first three games will be held in the South American nations of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate 100 years of the tournament. Then, those three nations and their opponents will travel across the Atlantic to play the rest of the tournament in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
So, we’re now looking at a 48-team tournament being played in six countries and three continents.
🚨 Morocco, Portugal & Spain set to stage 2030 World Cup
🚨 To mark 100yrs of #FIFAWorldCup first 3 games to feature Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay at HOME
🚨 Opening ceremony + rest of event in host nations (all 6 qualify)
🚨 2034 in Asian or Oceana confedshttps://t.co/DCeVRYACsQ— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) October 4, 2023
With this decision, FIFA shamelessly disregarded its environmental impact. You’re looking at stadium construction and travel at such a large scale, it continues to be irresponsible of FIFA. Spain, Portugal and Morocco have also dealt with brutally hot summers recently, and who’s to know what that would look like in 2030?
Yet, there’s a reason for this tricontinental tournament, and it’s classic FIFA corruption at work. By including three CONMEBOL nations along with UEFA and CAF in 2030, FIFA can say that South America, Europe and Africa used their turns in the hosting rotation. That brings 2034’s turn back to Asia where Saudi Arabia — and its appalling human rights record — is essentially guaranteed hosting rights as Asia’s entire confederation will unite behind a Saudi bid.
If you had any doubt about Saudi Arabia 2034, forget it. The president of the AFC just declared his full support to the Saudi bid and gave the Heisman to anyone else from the region thinking about getting into the race. pic.twitter.com/fzD3c15p1O
— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) October 4, 2023
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — who shared a suite with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the 2022 final — waited no time to announce the Saudi bid, which will mean that we’re looking at another winter World Cup in a country with abysmal human rights.
Mind you, FIFA *still* hasn’t announced a host for the Women’s World Cup in 2027, and it could be another year until that decision gets made. No wonder soccer fans were furious with this latest move from FIFA.
This was how Twitter reacted
If you thought having three host countries for the 2026 World Cup was bad enough, FIFA's era of never-ending expansion just got even bigger.
6 countries and 3 continents for 2030. Even more unnecessary airmiles, all in the name of history! https://t.co/fZBKAWvR44
— Felix Keith (@felixkeith) October 4, 2023
FIFA’s ability to ruin football is exceptional https://t.co/GKYKqitilz
— Alex Marr (@alexmarr98) October 4, 2023
Just when you think FIFA couldn’t care any less about the players…they make you realize they don’t give any damns. Pomp, circumstance and money over everything else https://t.co/TeMdlGorNS
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) October 4, 2023
every time you think FIFA can't get any madder they agree to something like hosting a world cup on three different CONTINENTS https://t.co/xLElWXn28n
— chloe (@puckinghell_) October 4, 2023
Definitely feels like a calculated move to take out both Europe and South America for 2034 so the Saudis get a free run at it. https://t.co/WkWNJ6tE6U
— Ciaran. (@OCONNELLAFCFAN) October 4, 2023
Fans will have to fly South America for their first group games, then back to Spain/Morocco for the remainder.
Once again zero consideration for the supporters following their teams. But we wouldn't expect anything else from FIFA. https://t.co/kt94gnCB0z
— The FSA (@WeAreTheFSA) October 4, 2023
*taps the "football is not being realistic about climate change" sign*
It's going to be so hot in southern Europe. These World Cups should not be played in the summer. https://t.co/9cEzmunbZb
— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) October 4, 2023
We don’t even know where the WWC is being held in 2027 but FIFA has the MWC outlined all the way up to 2034 https://t.co/HZVzx4kfdj
— Lis Schendel (@lis_ashlee) October 4, 2023
We had record heatwaves this summer in southern Europe. It might be even hotter by 2030. Has anyone involved given climate a moment's thought? https://t.co/7klQlZTl6K
— Grace Robertson 🏳️⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) October 4, 2023
this definitely won't be a logistical nightmare https://t.co/ZcgkVo3Ovh
— Maxwell 2 Electric Boogaloo (@Number1NIKIStan) October 4, 2023
May fifa crumble and shatter into a thousand pieces. Just give it to the South Americans for the whole thing man. It’s the centenary, an easy win for everyone involved. 6 host countries separated by an ocean is just absurd https://t.co/gSIkhIwvna
— Humble and a Bull (@bootcutgenes) October 4, 2023
Congrats to FIFA on killing the most prestigious sporting event in the world https://t.co/2uVWwqsvv6
— Rob Usry (@RobUsry) October 4, 2023
