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Days after Saudi Arabia launched its official bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup, a report in DailMail quoting sources close to the matter has claimed that the kingdom hosting the quadrennial event was basically a 'done deal'. 

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After FIFA announced earlier this week that the 2030 World Cup will be held across six different nations, it has opened up the way for Saudi Arabia to mount a serious challenge for the hosting duties. 

"A Saudi World Cup in 2034 isn't just likely, it's basically a done deal. Money has talked again, and the event will be worth billions in new cash for FIFA," the source told the publication. 

After the bid, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain pledged the support of the "entire Asian football family" behind Saudi Arabia. With the entire Africa expected to back Saudi Arabia as well, Australia, which had been mulling a bid as well, has been left disappointed. 

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Notably, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is also close to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and the latter has put forth a strategic vision to turn the kingdom into a sporting destination. 

According to experts, the mass exodus of football players from Europe to the kingdom this summer window was the start of the rise of Saudi Arabia on the world footballing map.  

What did FIFA announce? 

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On Thursday (October 5), FIFA announced it had reached an agreement to host the 2030 World Cup across three continents viz, South America, Africa and Europe.

While Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be the joint hosts for the marquee event, games will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. As a result, all six nations will automatically qualify for the World Cup. 

"In 2030, the FIFA World Cup will unite three continents and six countries, inviting the entire world to join in the celebration of the beautiful game, the Centenary and the FIFA World Cup itself," FIFA said in a statement. 

Also read | 2030 Football World Cup to be held in Europe, Africa and South America, announces FIFA

FIFA said the World Cup matches were being held in South America as part of the centenary celebration of the first World Cup held in Uruguay. According to FIFA, the three South American nations will organise one match each with the first of the three matches taking place at the stadium where it all began - the mythical Estádio Centenário, located in the Uruguayan capital city of Montevideo. 

Meanwhile, the 2034 bidding process began earlier this month and countries only have until October 31 to confirm their interest in submitting a formal bid proposal. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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