How Saudi Arabia weaponised Cristiano Ronaldo and co to legitimise World Cup bid

In the marble white offices of Riyadh’s opulent royal palaces, the only man with a worry in the world in recent weeks had been Sir Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister flew in to meet the crown prince on Monday, eagerly rattling his tin for investment and describing his “number one mission” to grow the UK. No need for such hustling on the other side of the table for Mohammed bin Salman, the controversial de facto leader for whom life has never been so sweet.

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FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns

Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer
ABC News - 9h
FIFA World Cup hosts confirmed: Saudi Arabia wins 2034 bid; Spain, Portugal, Morocco land centenary 2030 bid

Both World Cups were awarded without votes after a process which eliminated all other possible bids
CBS Sports - 15h
Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup football host by Fifa – live

Saudi Arabia confirmed despite human rights concerns A history of World Cup sportswashing | And email Niall Gianni Infantino is seated alongside the general secretary, Mattias Grafström, ...
The Guardian - 16h
FIFA names Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco as co-hosts of the 2030 tournament

FIFA names Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco as co-hosts of the 2030 tournament
ABC News - 17h
Fifa confirms Saudi Arabia as host of 2034 World Cup

Kingdom’s unopposed bid for sporting event ratified by football’s governing body on Wednesday
Financial Times - 17h
FA set to back Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid

The FA is set to back Saudi Arabia's controversial bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
BBC News - 19h
Saudi Arabia’s journey from 90s novelty to World Cup power grab

From USA 94 to Ronaldo, via Putin and Newcastle, the 2034 hosts-elect are now at the heart of football politics. Saudi Arabia’s football history is lengthy and the country has long been one of the ...
The Guardian - 1d
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid to be ratified by Fifa despite rights violations

Gulf state awarded the tournament amid accusations of ‘sportswashing’ over exploitation of its migrant workforce. Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid victory is a crushing defeat for migrant workers’ ...
The Guardian - 3d
DFB votes in favour of 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup

Yahoo News - 5d

How Saudi Arabia weaponised Cristiano Ronaldo and co to legitimise World Cup bid

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Related

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns

FIFA World Cup hosts confirmed: Saudi Arabia wins 2034 bid; Spain, Portugal, Morocco land centenary 2030 bid

Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup football host by Fifa – live

FIFA names Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco as co-hosts of the 2030 tournament

Fifa confirms Saudi Arabia as host of 2034 World Cup

FA set to back Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid

Saudi Arabia’s journey from 90s novelty to World Cup power grab

Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid to be ratified by Fifa despite rights violations

DFB votes in favour of 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup

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