A formality. Nothing more, nothing less. FIFA must award this Wednesday, December 11, on the occasion of an extraordinary virtual congress, the organization of two successive editions of its most brilliant and coveted product: the men’s football World Cup. In a few clicks, it will designate the host countries of the global event in 2030 then in 2034.
In other times, FIFA’s decision would have dominated the news, even beyond sport. The rumors would have kept the media, and with them the general public, in suspense while awaiting the result. But the body chaired by Gianni Infantino killed the suspense by retaining only two application files. Above all, it has stifled any idea of democracy, by imposing an already made choice on its 211 member associations.
The first of the two tournaments will be awarded to a Spain-Morocco-Portugal trio, with an excursion to South America (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) at the start of the competition, to celebrate the centenary of the World Cup in a hurry and silence the activists of history. A 2030 World Cup in six countries, therefore, and no less than three continents. The most beautiful illustration that everything is possible for FIFA, not always the best.
For 2034 too, mass is said. Alone in the race, Saudi Arabia will win, with a pharaonic project commensurate with its sporting ambition.
Clarification: the vote for this double attribution will not really be one. It will be done by acclamation. Well yes, the old fashioned way. A clever way to avoid seeing the procedure disrupted by discordant voices. It remains to be seen how FIFA plans to go about technically carrying out a vote by acclamation in virtual mode, with more than 200 countries invited to participate. The only certainty: the opponents will not be heard.
How many of the member countries will refuse their vote in a predetermined election? Barring an improbable scenario, very few. And even, come on, maybe even just one.
Norway announced it without hiding, through the voice of its president: it will abstain, this Wednesday, when FIFA asks its national federations to cheer the future hosts of the men’s World Cup. “Tomorrow’s vote is not there to ratify the host countries of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, which are already known, suggested former player Lise Klaveness on the eve of the decision. The congress aims above all to endorse the method of designation operated by FIFA. By abstaining in the vote by acclamation, we are sending a clear signal that we do not endorse FIFA’s current approach. »
For others, the trend looks more moderate. In Europe, in particular, several countries have expressed their concerns about the issue of human rights in Saudi Arabia. Germany, in particular. But without getting into the same wagon as Norway and announcing their abstention.
Example: Switzerland. Its federation (SFV) confirmed that it would support the Saudi bid for the 2034 World Cup, but demanding that the issue of human rights be at least supervised, and ideally controlled, by FIFA and the International Labor Organization (ILO). ).
Its president, Dominique Blanc, explains: “ We will agree on 2030 and 2034, but we will also raise concerns about Saudi Arabia’s candidacy for 2034. We have made these specific points in the area of workers’ rights and human rights in a letter addressed to FIFA, where we make requests and proposals. Concretely, we ask FIFA and the organizers to set up independent control and appeal bodies, in addition to the International Labor Organization (ILO). The right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as well as full protection against discrimination during the World Cup, including on the basis of gender, sexual orientation and religion, are also fundamental for us. »
But the Swiss will vote for both files. They will cheer, like the others, a double choice made without them. They will validate, nothing more.
