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By Ntokozo Magongo
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) have made their interest known that they are in full support of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has submitted a letter of intent to the Football International Federation Association (FIFA), declaring their interest in hosting the 2034 World Cup.
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EFA confirmed on its social media official pages that it supported Saudi Arabia, which will face stiff competition from other countries in the quest to host the biggest football showpiece. “The Eswatini Football Association has expressed her support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034,” reads a statement.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States with the 2030 edition given to Morocco, Portugal and Spain. According to fifa.com, the FIFA Council also unanimously agreed to host a unique centenary celebration ceremony in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, where the first ever FIFA World Cup took place in 1930, as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
The decisions mean that 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 recently confirmed that only countries from Asia and Oceania would be able to bid for the 2034 edition, following the decision to award the 2030 World Cup to six host countries across three countries.
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Saudi Arabia, which declared its interest swiftly after FIFA’s bid announcement, have now formally put themselves forward as a candidate. SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal confirmed that the country has already submitted their bid and they were looking forward at hosing one of the best FIFA World Cups ever. SAFF claims to have the support of over 70 FIFA member associations from different continents including EFA. Australia and New Zealand are also thought to be considering a bid for the 2034 event.
