Saudi 2034 World Cup Delayed Amid FIFA Dispute

By Courtney Rivera 20/07/2026 2 min read 33 views

Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, but scheduling issues may force the tournament to be moved to 2035. The World Cup is traditionally played in summer, but the last time it was hosted in the Middle East, it was held during winter.

Qatar hosted the 2022 edition in December, and many people presumed Saudi Arabia would adopt the same timing. However, Ramadan is expected to fall around November 12 in 2034, and will last for just under a month, creating complications for the tournament.

Ramadan is the holiest and most significant month in the Islamic calendar, and Saudi Arabia is the home of two of Islam’s most holy sites. The practicalities of a tournament being played during this time, with millions of fans from different countries and cultures descending on the kingdom, could create complications.

The traditional summer format is not feasible in the Middle East due to the high temperatures in June and July. Early in 2034, the Winter Olympics will take place in Salt Lake City, and millions of religious pilgrims will also flock to Saudi Arabia in March for Hajj.

It’s likely that the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could start in 2034, but end in 2035. The tournament may start between the Christmas and New Year period and run towards the end of January. FIFA is considering expanding the tournament to 64 teams, which would require a longer schedule.

FIFA has been criticized for awarding the World Cup to countries with limited football history, but it insists its mission is to make the game more global. FIFA President Gianna Infantino has told the footballing industry that they need to be more ‘open-minded’ when faced with criticism.

US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in hosting the World Cup again, following the success of the 2026 competition in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Trump has a close relationship with FIFA President Gianna Infantino and has suggested that the US should be added to the next edition.

FIFA’s decision to host the World Cup in new countries is part of its effort to expand the game globally. FIFA’s mission is to make the game more global, and argued that only having the tournament in Europe, or South America was limiting the growth of the game.

The 2030 World Cup is being hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup is expected to be a significant event, with millions of fans attending the tournament. However, the scheduling complications and other issues may impact the success of the event.

FIFA President Gianna Infantino will play a key role in the decision-making process. The organization’s leadership will need to balance the needs of different stakeholders, including fans, players, and host countries.

The outcome of this process will have a significant impact on the future of the World Cup.