Egypt has officially requested the right to host some of the matches for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia. This request came on Wednesday from Hany Abo Rida, the president of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), during the 14th extraordinary general assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo.
While Saudi Arabia was designated as the sole host of the tournament by FIFA last December, Egypt’s request has sparked discussions about the possibility of African involvement in the tournament, especially considering the continent’s growing influence in world football. Egypt’s bid to host part of the competition would allow the country to be a part of the World Cup festivities, even though Saudi Arabia has already been officially selected as the host.
In his remarks at the CAF assembly, Abo Rida expressed his support for Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup but also made a case for Egypt’s role in the tournament. “Saudi Arabia will stand up and organize a historic edition of the World Cup, and we wish our Saudi brothers every success,” Abo Rida said. “But at the same time, we hope that Mr. Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, will grant us, as Africans and Egyptians, the honor of hosting and organizing one of the World Cup groups in 2034.”
The Historical Significance of Egypt’s Request
The request comes at a significant time for Egypt as it marks the 100th anniversary of the country’s participation in the World Cup. Egypt made history as the first African nation to appear in a World Cup, competing in the 1934 tournament held in Italy. A century later, Egypt’s football leaders are hoping to see the country play a prominent role in the world’s most watched sporting event once again.
Egypt’s desire to host World Cup matches also ties into the country’s broader ambition to strengthen its football legacy. Over the past few years, Egypt has seen growth in its football infrastructure and is positioning itself as a key player in African and international football. While Egypt has hosted major continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the World Cup remains the ultimate prize in football.
Saudi Arabia: The Sole Host of the 2034 World Cup
In December 2023, FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup after a historic decision that saw the nation as the only candidate for the tournament. This was part of a shift in FIFA’s strategy to bring the World Cup to different parts of the world and to increase football’s appeal in new regions.
Saudi Arabia will make history as the third Arab country to host the World Cup, following Qatar in 2022 and Morocco in 2030. The Saudi selection is also seen as part of the country’s larger efforts to expand its influence in global sports and to diversify its economy beyond oil, with football playing a central role in that vision. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the 2034 World Cup is part of its ambitious “Vision 2030,” a plan that aims to transform the country into a global leader in various sectors, including sports.
Previous Egyptian Efforts to Host the World Cup
While Egypt has long been interested in hosting the World Cup, the country’s hopes to co-host the 2030 edition of the tournament with Saudi Arabia and Greece were unsuccessful. Egypt had previously launched a bid to be part of the 2030 World Cup, but it was ultimately excluded when FIFA awarded the tournament to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as co-hosts. The defeat in the 2030 race has not deterred Egypt’s ambition, and the country continues to seek opportunities to be involved in future tournaments.
Even though Egypt has not been awarded the World Cup in recent years, it continues to play a major role in African football. The Egyptian national team, known as the Pharaohs, has won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, and Egyptian clubs have regularly competed at the top level in both continental and international tournaments.
A Global Celebration in 2034
The 2034 World Cup will be the first tournament to be held in the Middle East since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It will also be the first time the World Cup is hosted by Saudi Arabia, and the country is preparing to make a strong statement on the world stage.
Saudi Arabia’s bid for the World Cup in 2034 is seen as part of a larger movement to bring the world’s biggest sporting event to the Middle East and expand football’s reach across the region. With football being one of the most popular sports globally, Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup in 2034 will likely leave a lasting legacy in the Middle East and further enhance the sport’s popularity in Arab countries.
For Egypt, the request to host part of the tournament aligns with its broader desire to maintain a central role in global football, particularly in Africa. If successful, Egypt’s hosting of part of the 2034 World Cup could help further elevate the country’s status in international football while also honoring its historical connection to the World Cup.
The Road Ahead
FIFA has yet to respond to Egypt’s request, and it remains uncertain whether the country will be granted the opportunity to host some of the matches for the 2034 tournament. However, Egypt’s formal request adds an interesting twist to the upcoming World Cup. While Saudi Arabia will host the bulk of the matches, the inclusion of another African country in the tournament could further showcase the global nature of football.
As Egypt continues to advocate for its role in the 2034 World Cup, it is also pushing for greater representation and inclusion of African nations in the world’s most prestigious football tournament. The 2034 World Cup will mark a century of Egypt’s involvement in the tournament, and many see it as a fitting moment for the country to play a key role once again.
The decision by FIFA to allow Egypt to host part of the tournament would be a historic milestone for African football and a reminder of the continent’s rich footballing history. In the coming months, the world will wait to see how FIFA responds to Egypt’s request and whether the Pharaohs will be able to take their place on the global football stage once again.
As preparations for the 2034 World Cup move forward, the collaboration between Egypt and Saudi Arabia may serve as a symbol of unity in the Arab and African football communities.
