Qatar made history when they hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to stage the global showpiece. Saudi Arabia will follow in their footsteps in 2034. The Kingdom was confirmed as the next Gulf State to host the World Cup and the reaction has been mixed.
The Next World Cup Hosted in the Middle East
Since the World Cup in Qatar, there have been widespread conversations about ‘Growing the Game (GTG)’. The core of GTG is about expanding the footprint of the sport across the globe and making the football experience more enjoyable for everyone.
FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup format from 32 to 48 teams falls under the purview of the GTG initiative, and there are plans for further expansion in the future.
Not everyone is sold on the concept, and for good reason. But the initiative has made an impact across several facets of the sport, including the betting industry.
The 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia will open the door for more teams to prove they belong on the big stage, which paves the way for fresh betting markets to be introduced.
As evidenced by this 1xBet review for Arab players, wagering on football is hugely popular. When the World Cup is staged, sportsbooks are inundated with bets.
The idea behind GTG is to make football more inclusive, and it has the potential to draw an unprecedented number of new fans and bettors to the sport.
Expansion often comes with unpredictability. For many people in the betting community, that’s gold. Read on as we discuss the long-term impact of GTG on football.
How Did Qatar Fare?
Taking the global showpiece to the Middle East did not go down well across all quarters.
The tournament in Qatar was shrouded in controversy about several key issues, including alleged human rights violations – especially the treatment of migrant workers – and alcohol restrictions.
Despite the criticism, Qatar delivered an outstanding event. It had everything – smooth in execution, logistically sound and wildly unpredictable on the pitch.
Morocco made history by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Asian duo Japan and South Korea picked up famous wins against global powerhouses.
Even though Argentina ended up winning the title, the 2022 World Cup was a breath of fresh air.
Over to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia wants to be recognised as a football powerhouse, and hosting the most prestigious event in world football puts them one step closer to realising their ambitions.
They are pushing for FIFA to expand the tournament again. Saudi Arabia have made it clear they have what it takes to handle a 64-team tournament, and FIFA have not dismissed the idea.
South America’s CONMEBOL has submitted an official proposal to FIFA, requesting to stage the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams rather than the newly implemented 48.
That idea has been strongly opposed by some other continental confederations, but FIFA are still mulling it over.
It could expedite the GTG initiative, but it would not be the smartest move, especially at a time when the increasing workload on players is a hot topic.
Saudi Arabia will welcome a 64-team tournament. Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has already given the green light, but FIFA will make the final decision.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom is already in the crosshairs of rights organisations. When their hosting right for 2034 was confirmed, the decision was met with plenty of criticism.
The Saudis have invested heavily in sports over the last few years, but critics accuse the country of ‘sportswashing’ its human rights record and using football to cover up social and political flaws.
GTG: Is Another Expansion Meaningful?
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will feature 48 teams. That is a substantial leap from the 32 that competed in Qatar.
For FIFA, more teams mean more representation, more opportunity for smaller nations to participate and a greater chance to energise local development.
There is some truth to that. But there are other facets of the game that are getting lost. For one, the psychological effect of even more games on the fans and the players.
Players are already complaining about a jam-packed schedule that has increased the rate of injuries.
Allowing more nations into the party is great for the growth and numbers, but what happens after the music stops should also be considered in equal measure.
A 64-team tournament introduces logistical, environmental and scheduling challenges that could undercut the spirit of the event.