World Cup 2034: Football Association yet to decide whether it will officially endorse Saudi bid
The federation is still deciding whether to formally back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 men’s World Cup at a virtual FIFA congress next week.
Insiders have told the BBC that discussions involving the FA board are still ongoing.
It has been suggested that ratification may not be a traditional vote but confirmed by acclamation – with federations in favor being asked to show their support by acclamation.
However, FIFA has yet to confirm this and FA officials have sought clarification on the process.
On Friday, the German national football association (DFB) announced it would vote in favor of Saudi Arabia’s bid and a multi-national bid to host the 2030 tournament.
The BBC has learned FA officials are concerned about concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
However, some are also concerned that it may be disingenuous if the agency refuses to support the event but participates in it.
Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 World Cup will be awarded without objection to co-hosts Spain, Morocco and Portugal, with early matches also to be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
The approval process has been merged so that the host countries for 2030 and 2034 will be decided jointly.
Therefore, if federations object to one bid, they must support any one of them, without having to welcome each potential host individually.
