
<p>Football Australia <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAUS/status/1719217681508053465" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced today</a>&nbsp;that it would not be bidding to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. In a statement, Football Australia said, “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached a conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition.”</p>



<p>The decision came just hours before the deadline for countries to submit an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-offers-australia-token-gesture-to-bid-for-2034-world-cup-20231005-WST-460522.html">expression of interest to FIFA</a>. Australia had been weighing up a bid over recent months but ultimately decided against it.&nbsp;Football Australia said it would instead focus efforts on bidding for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup and 2029 Club World Cup. </p>



<p>The statement said, “We believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world – the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 – and then welcome the greatest teams in world football for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.”</p>



<h2>Saudi Arabia Frontrunner to Host 2030 World Cup</h2>



<p>With Australia out of the running, Saudi Arabia is now the host of the 2034 World Cup. Minutes after FIFA announced the bidding process was open earlier this month, the Saudis submitted their expression of interest.&nbsp;The Saudi bid has quickly gathered momentum, with the Asian Football Confederation and over 70 FIFA member associations publicly backing their bid. Saudi Arabia seems to have widespread support across Asia and looks poised to host the second World Cup in the Middle East after Qatar in 2022.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231031_WST_465990_Ronaldo-Saudi-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-466041" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Ronaldo-Saudi-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Ronaldo-Saudi-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Ronaldo-Saudi-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Ronaldo-Saudi.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Saudi Arabia has made some serious investments in the summer by bringing in some of the world’s best players.</figcaption></figure>



<p>It likely means another World Cup in the winter rather than the traditional summer schedule.&nbsp;Qatar 2022 was moved to November/December to avoid the intense summer heat in the Gulf region. Temperatures in Saudi Arabia are similarly scorching in June/July, making a winter tournament probable.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Shifting the World Cup to winter again forces major disruption to domestic leagues around the world. They need to halt seasons to accommodate the schedule.&nbsp;However, the general response from the fans after the Qatar 2022 World Cup was positive. Players were closer to peak performance and their conditioning was strong compared to a summer tournament.</p>



<p>However, Saudi Arabia has maintained its intent to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-wants-to-host-2034-world-cup-in-summer-20230902-WST-453668.html">host the 2034 World Cup in the summer</a>. The organizing body for the Saudi Arabian bid would also face similar problems as Qatar. While the small nation would minimize travel times in the tournament, Saudi Arabia also raises concerns about human rights violations. That, combined with the heat, makes for more controversy ahead of a World Cup in the Middle East.</p>



<h2>Saudi link to Australia’s decision is unclear</h2>



<p>It is unclear if Saudi Arabia had any influence in Football Australia’s decision not to bid. Some officials hinted Saudi Arabia warned Australia against bidding. There is no evidence the Saudis strong-armed Australia out of the process.&nbsp;Football Australia maintains it conducted its assessment of whether to bid. The group determined not to proceed after weighing up all factors. There is speculation about backroom deals but nothing definitive.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


Australia Passes on World Cup, Saudi Arabia named for 2034

Australia backed out of a bid to host the 2034 World Cup, which opens the door for Saudi Arabia to be the only candidate.

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<p>Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has proclaimed that he does not care about accusations of sportswashing. Bin Salman became his country’s de facto ruler in 2017. Since then, the billionaire has invested a fortune in sports. Most notably, bin Salman’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought a majority stake in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle United</a> in 2021. PIF also helped create the controversial LIV Golf in the same year.</p>



<p>Bin Salman made the nonchalant claims during a recent interview with <em>Fox News</em>. It was his first-ever full interview in English. “If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we’ll continue doing sportswashing,” <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/66874723" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Bin Salman. </p>



<p>The Saudi official was then asked directly how he felt about the sportswashing term. “I don’t care [about the term]. I have 1% growth in GDP from sport and I am aiming for another 1.5%. Call it what you want – we are going to get that 1.5%.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇸🇦🗣️ Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: "If sportswashing is going to increase our GDP, we&apos;ll continue sportswashing. I don&apos;t care." <a href="https://t.co/2X91xnN0D0">pic.twitter.com/2X91xnN0D0</a></p>— DW Sports (@dw_sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/dw_sports/status/1704872852292243750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h5>Massive money crucial to country’s success</h5>



<p>Critics of PIF’s involvement in sports claim that the moves are made to distract from their human rights issues. The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in particular, blocked Saudi Arabia from making many big moves. Other nations chose not to do business with the Saudis. Nevertheless, things have changed over the last few years. Money has been a key factor.</p>



<h2>Saudi official defends sportswashing </h2>



<p>Along with investing directly in teams and sports leagues, Saudi Arabia has also struck deals to bring certain competitions to the Middle Eastern nation. This includes hosting the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/club-world-cup-tv-schedule-streaming-links/">2023 FIFA Club World Cup</a> and the 2029 Asian Games. Bin Salman admitted these deals help bring more tourism to the country.</p>



<p>“When you want to diversify an economy you have to work in all sectors: mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation, logistics all this,” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/mohammed-bin-salman-says-he-will-continue-doing-sport-washing-for-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continued</a> bin Salman. “Part of it is tourism and if you want to develop tourism part of it is culture, part of it is your sport sector, because you need to create a calendar.”</p>



<p>“We can see tourism used to contribute to Saudi GDP 3% now it’s 7%. Sport used to be 0.4% now it’s 1.5% so it’s economic growth it’s jobs, it’s a calendar, it’s entertainment, it’s tourism.”</p>



<p>As long as they are allowed to freely splash the cash, PIF seems here to stay. Other sporting events will soon be headed to Saudi Arabia as well. This includes boxing matches, tennis events and F1 races.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Russian Look</em></p>


Saudi Crown Prince: 'We'll continue doing sportswashing'

Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has claimed that he will continue doing sportswashing, and he does not care about the term.

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Spain’s LaLiga today teamed up with Dubai-based media company Galaxy Racer to extend its reach. The intended target is the Middle East and northern Africa (MENA) region as well as India. The 15-year agreement worth $2.9 billion aims to help LaLiga compete globally with the Premier League.</p>
<p>LaLiga saw considerable <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/03/18/boris-gartner-interview-part-1-laligas-growth-in-north-america/">development in North America</a> over the last several years. In a partnership with multinational media company Relevent, LaLiga sought promotion for both the league and sport in North America. That successful venture turned LaLiga into one of the most popular leagues in the United States. Now, it trails just the Premier League, Liga MX and MLS.</p>
<p>Recently, LaLiga sold its TV rights in North America for a record deal. In 2021, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/podcasts/laliga-returns-home-to-espn-world-soccer-talk-podcast/">ESPN acquired the U.S. rights to LaLiga</a> on an eight-year deal for <a href="https:\/\/awfulannouncing.com/soccer/espn-signs-eight-year-deal-with-laliga-for-an-estimated-1-4-billion-taking-over-from-bein-sports.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1.4 billion</a>.</p>
<p>With a resurgent Barcelona and the now-14-time Champions League winners in Real Madrid, LaLiga sees an opportunity for growth. In fact, a goal of LaLiga in its bid for Africa, India and the Middle East is to grow larger than the Premier League.</p>
<h5>Competing with the Premier League</h5>
<p>England’s Premier League is the undisputed champion of viewership around the globe. The EPL <a href="https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10409843/Premier-League-dominates-Bundesliga-Ligue-1-La-Liga-Serie-attracting-3-2-billion-TV-viewers.html">reportedly</a> had about 3.2 billion viewers worldwide throughout the 2019-20 season. And more television viewers means more money. Broadcasting contracts generated around $165 million for the Premier League for the 19/20 season. To put this into perspective, LaLiga brought in about $77 million during the same timeframe. The Spanish league are banking on Galaxy Racer to help close that massive gap by expanding their range to MENA.</p>
<h3>LaLiga looks to extend league’s reach into MENA and India</h3>
<p>“The LaLiga brand is powerful, but its potential remains untapped amongst Millennials and Gen Z in the MENA region,” <a href="https:\/\/www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/laliga-and-galaxy-racer-set-to-transform-sports-media-scene-in-mena-region-and-indian-subcontinent-through-historic-joint-venture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> Galaxy Racer CEO Paul Roy.</p>
<p>“Our opportunity is to connect with a younger audience in a way that resonates with them.&nbsp; Galaxy Racer has a market reach that will help unlock that potential and elevate LaLiga to an aspirational brand for target audiences in the region.”</p>
<p>Galaxy Racer is reportedly the biggest esports, gaming and lifestyle company in the world.&nbsp; Not only are they certainly a massive organization, but they also have a huge presence in the MENA area. This was obviously an area of focus for LaLiga officials.</p>
<p>“With the market set to enter a new era of growth, this is the right moment to take our business in the region to the next level and attract the next generation of younger sport fans to our competition,” Oscar Mayo, LaLiga Executive Director said.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LaLiga has signed a letter of intent with Dubai-headquartered esports and lifestyle organisation Galaxy Racer to form a 15-year joint venture designed to transform the organisation’s presence in the Mena region and Indian subcontinent. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/HEwBuEcMVA">https:\/\/t.co/HEwBuEcMVA</a></p>
<p>— SportBusiness (@SportBusiness) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/SportBusiness/status/1567124763608334336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>“This historic partnership is set to boost the popularity of LaLiga and football in MENA and the Indian subcontinent.&nbsp; With Galaxy Racer’s extensive experience in the region as one of the world’s largest transmedia powerhouses we believe they are the ideal partner to help us reach a fresh new audience and unlock the true potential of LaLiga in the region.”</p>
<p>LaLiga’s managing director for the MENA area also praised the move. “This agreement ensures not only a bright future for football in MENA and the Indian subcontinent, but also for LaLiga and our clubs,” stated league executive Maite Ventura.</p>
<h5>LaLiga’s growth</h5>
<p>The joint venture extends LaLiga’s reach into major soccer countries like Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey India and Qatar. Also, the two companies began working on events, merchandise, and actual tournaments in the aforementioned area.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Insidefoto</em></p>


LaLiga, which has considerable growth in North America recently, now targets MENA and India to extend its reach and compete with the EPL.

LaLiga unveils plans to circumvent EPL growth in India and MENA - World Soccer Talk

LaLiga unveils plans to circumvent EPL growth in India and MENA

<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/sepp-blatter.jpg"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/sepp-blatter.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-104224" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20141031_WST_120266_sepp-blatter-600x337.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=337" alt="sepp-blatter" width="600" height="337" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/sepp-blatter-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/sepp-blatter-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/sepp-blatter-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/sepp-blatter.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<p>It seems that the ramifications of the FIFA vote in December 2010 to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar are still being felt across the football world. Whilst there was no denying it was a left field decision by the executive committee, it wasn’t as if the Middle East had never held a sporting event previously.</p>
<p>In the last 20 years, an incredible amount of money has been invested across the region to make both Dubai and Doha two of the rising stars of international sport. If we truly believe in the power of sport as a global force, then how can we continue to ignore the investment and facilities available to a wide variety of sporting associations? Formula One, The European Golf Tour and 20/20 Cricket have all been embraced by the Middle East, as the growing economic power of the region has seen them begin to challenge the established order of sport event hosting.</p>
<p>Formula One is perhaps the best example, with the current race calendar including Abu Dhabi and Bahrain which have complemented other races in Turkey, China, Singapore and South Korea. At the turn of the century, that would have been unthinkable to some, yet they have all added something different to the competition, perhaps even improved it.</p>
<p>The European Golf Tour, whilst hardly struggling, has sometimes struggled to keep a regular calendar of events in Europe due to loss of sponsorship and high profile players turning up every week. By trying to improve the quality of the fields and take on the power of the American PGA tour, the European Golf Association has had to think outside the box to offer an all year product.</p>
<p>By utilizing the warmer climates of South Africa, Asia and Australia, whilst now having the annual race to Dubai, The European Tour has an extra three months of golf to attract sponsors and top quality golfers which it simply couldn’t do by staying in Europe. To survive, the tournament has had to adapt and has been gratefully accepted in the Middle East. If anything, it needed the Middle East to survive.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly football’s popularity across the whole of the Middle East has consistently supplied teams to the World Cup throughout the last 40 years – it seems incredible that Iran’s debut in 1978 saw the first truly Middle Eastern country compete in the World Cup. Since that World Cup in Argentina, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE have all qualified and the AFC has seen its participation grow from a playoff chance to four regular participants as the World Cup becomes a truly global competition.</p>
<p>We are now used to seeing Middle Eastern countries compete in every World Cup and the AFC has consistently given us some memorable performances. With Australia moving from the Oceanic qualifying arena to the AFC, the competition has been strengthened and the Middle East has become a regular host of the Asian Football Cup since Iran in 1968 – Qatar has held the event twice.</p>
<p>With competition continuing to grow, it is only fair that the Middle East becomes a big player in the World Cup and by utilizing these massive events; it can only be of a benefit to the area.</p>
<p>As the tournament is expected to grow to 40 teams, it is conceivable that we could be seeing six Asian and Middle East teams competing in Qatar in 2022.</p>
<p>By continuing to invest in sport, the whole region is benefitting from a higher profile. Coupled with the progress in football sponsorship across Europe, the Middle East has begun to shake the very foundations of what was the established order and that can only be a good thing for the sport. By awarding the 2022 <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/world-cup/">World Cup</a> to Qatar, the whole of the region will benefit for generations to come.</p>


ALL POSTS TAGGED "Middle East"

FIFA World Cup

Australia Passes on World Cup, Saudi Arabia named for 2034

Financial Fair Play

Saudi Crown Prince: 'We'll continue doing sportswashing'

Leagues: LaLiga

LaLiga unveils plans to circumvent EPL growth in India and MENA

FIFA

Middle East growing and beginning to assert itself on world stage