This is the second time in the Middle East (first Qatar).There are mixed evaluations that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s efforts to foster the sports industry have paid off and concerns that he is trying to hide his negative image due to human rights suppression through large sports events. FIFA announced that only Saudi Arabia expressed its intention to host the 2034 World Cup. Australia, which was initially expected to compete with Saudi Arabia for the right to host the 2034 World Cup, gave up its intention to host the event at the last minute. If Saudi Arabia’s bid for the World Cup is confirmed, it will be the second World Cup to be held in the Middle East following the 2022 Qatar World Cup. FIFA said, “In accordance with the bidding regulations approved by the FIFA Council, FIFA’s executive department will thoroughly proceed with the bidding and evaluation process, and the (final) venue is expected to be decided at the FIFA General Assembly in the fourth quarter of 2024.Until now, Saudi Arabia has invested a huge amount of money in sports, including soccer. It is known that they promised 200 million euros and 150 million euros per season, respectively, to recruit soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Junior to their own soccer leagues. The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, analyzed that Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF has invested at least $6.3 billion in sports over the past two years. Prince Bin Salman, who is trying to diversify the economy from the oil-centered economic structure to culture and tourism, led the investment. In particular, Saudi Arabia is known to have worked hard to attract the World Cup because holding international sports events can speed up infrastructure development and promote Prince Bin Salman’s reform achievements to the international community. Currently, the acquisition of the English Premier League club has been confirmed through several routes.Saudi Sports Minister Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal said, “The hosting of the 2034 World Cup will help achieve our dream of becoming a world sports leader and will mark an important milestone in national transformation.” However, there are concerns that hosting the World Cup will be abused for “sports washing” to wash negative images caused by the oppression of women and human rights.
“FIFA blew the leverage (to negotiate with Saudi Arabia) over labor and press freedom and civil society protection (by hosting the World Cup),” said Minky Warden of Human Rights Watch, a global human rights organization. FIFA was also criticized for turning a blind eye to discrimination against women and LGBTQ people in Qatar and abuse of migrant workers during the Qatar World Cup.In a sportswashing controversy, Prince Bin Salman said in an interview with Fox News in September, “If sportswashing can increase Korea’s GDP by 1%, I will continue sportswashing.” There are concerns and concerns about how far the Middle East’s oil money will go.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
