
<p>Saudi Arabia is willing to arrange the 2034 World Cup during the summer months. The Middle Eastern nation <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/australia-passes-on-world-cup-saudi-arabia-favorite-for-2034-20231031-WST-465990.html">successfully won the bid</a> to host the tournament back in October. FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed the news after Saudi Arabia ran unopposed. Australia previously showed interest in hosting the 2034 competition but ultimately opted against making an official bid.</p>



<p>Saudi officials have been mulling the idea of hosting the tournament during the summer months for a while. News broke before they won the rights to the 2034 World Cup that they wanted it played during the hottest months of the year. </p>



<p>World Cups are typically played in the summer as many top leagues around the world are in the offseason at this time. However, the 2022 World Cup was played during the fall and winter months in Qatar just last year. This was mostly due to the excessive heat in the fellow Middle Eastern nation. As a result, players complained about being overworked due to the packed schedule.</p>



<h2>Saudi Arabia executive talks summer or winter World Cup in 2034</h2>



<p>While there are obvious concerns about playing the Saudi World Cup in the summer months, the country’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has admitted that they are weighing their options. “I don’t know to be honest,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12841587/Saudi-Arabia-2034-World-Cup-SUMMER-50C.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">replied</a> Prince Abdulaziz when asked about possibly hosting the tournament in the summer. “We are definitely studying both options to see which is the best option to host the World Cup.”</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_20231208_WST_475872_World-Cup-trophy-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-475927" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/World-Cup-trophy-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/World-Cup-trophy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/World-Cup-trophy-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/World-Cup-trophy.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>The 2022 World Cup was the first in the Middle East. It showed the feasibility of hosting the tournament in the winter.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The executive then claimed the timing of the tournament does not matter. </p>



<p>“Why not see what the possibilities are to do it in the summer? Whether it is summer or winter it doesn’t matter for us, as long as we make sure that we [deliver] the right atmosphere to host such an event,” continued Prince Abdulaziz.</p>



<h2>Largest cities in the country reach 100 degrees (F) in July</h2>



<p>High temperatures in the Saudi capital of Riyadh regularly reach around 110 degrees (F) in July. Other places, such as Al-Ettifaq’s home of Dammam, average even higher temperatures during this time. Record highs in the region can exceed 120 degrees (F) as well. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> (SPL) regularly avoids playing matches during these summer months to steer clear of the heat.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, soccer officials are exploring ways to beat the heat and host the tournament during the summer. Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal claimed last month that they were looking into utilizing air conditioners inside their arenas.</p>



<p>“Today there are many new technologies that help you with cooling or adding air conditioners in stadiums, in addition to the fact that there are many cities in the kingdom that enjoy a very wonderful atmosphere in the summer,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12841587/Saudi-Arabia-2034-World-Cup-SUMMER-50C.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Yasser al-Misehal.</p>



<p>Qatar previously implemented in-stadium air conditioning to help fans remain cool during last year’s tournament. This situation differs significantly because the competition happened in November and December.</p>



<p>Yasser al-Misehal is correct that some Saudi areas do not reach 110 degrees (F) during the summer months. Nevertheless, temperatures in the five largest Saudi cities regularly exceed 100 degrees (F). Abha, home of the SPL team of the same name, is the largest town in the nation where temperatures are not absurdly hot in July. Their home stadium has a current capacity of just 20,000 fans.</p>



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


Saudi Arabia exploring ways to host 2034 World Cup in summer

Saudi Arabian sports officials are researching new technologies to help the nation host the 2034 World Cup during the summer.


<p>FIFA has officially confirmed that the 2025 version of the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/club-world-cup-tv-schedule-streaming-links/">Club World Cup</a> will feature 32 teams. The most recent version of the competition consisted of just seven clubs. Along with the planned expansion, the world’s governing body of the sport will also change the timeframe of the tournament.</p>



<p>For the 2025 Club World Cup, the 32 split into eight total groups. This means that each group will have four clubs. The new format would essentially be similar to World Cup or UEFA Champions League tournaments.</p>



<p>UEFA would have the most teams involved at the competition with 12. South America’s CONMEBOL would then have six, with AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF having four teams each. There will also be one OFC team and one more from a host nation.</p>



<h2>2025 Club World Cup in summer limits potential hosts</h2>



<p>Traditionally, the tournament happens in the winter months. However, FIFA plans to organize the 2025 Club World Cup for the summer. This could also potentially rule out certain Middle Eastern countries from hosting the competition. The United States emerged as one rumored host for the tournament.</p>



<p>Morocco was the most recent host, as Real Madrid extended its record wins in the tournament to five.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal Highlights | 2022 FIFA Club World Cup Morocco Final" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/8hQEMeplkDs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h5>League and player organizations not happy with decision</h5>



<p>The expansion announcement does not thrill everyone. The World Leagues Forum, an association of 40 professional soccer leagues, claimed that the move is damaging to the sport.</p>



<p>“As the calendar is already overloaded, with longstanding domestic club competitions and ever-expanding international competitions, FIFA’s decision creates the risk of fixture congestion, further player injuries and a distortion of competitive balance.”</p>



<p><a href="https:\/\/fifpro.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFPRO</a>, the worldwide player representation organization, also previously had strong words for the governing body. The groups <a href="https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11548681/Players-union-FIFPRO-says-Club-World-Cup-expansion-consequences.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> that FIFA took these decisions “unilaterally without seriously consulting, let alone agreeing, with the players.” </p>



<p>“Once again, decisions to scale competitions without implementing appropriate safeguards are short-sighted and pay no attention to players’ health and performance.”&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo</em></p>


FIFA has officially announced an expansion of the Club World Cup for the 2025 tournament with a total of 32 teams in the summer months.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "summer"

FIFA

Saudi Arabia exploring ways to host 2034 World Cup in summer

Club World Cup

FIFA expands Club World Cup to 32 teams for 2025