PROJECT 2034?

After the Qatar World Cup, are we really moving next door in 2034?

You’ve heard the news, I’m sure.

The announcement of Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup has sparked heated debates—and it should. But here’s the deal: outrage after the fact won’t cut it. If you’ve got a problem with this decision, the time to act is right now.

We are a full decade away from the tournament. TEN YEARS. That’s an entire era in which global public pressure could actually force FIFA to rethink its decision. But it won’t happen if people only start getting performatively loud after the opening whistle of the first match.

Where’s Your Energy Now?

It’s all too familiar, isn’t it? The outrage machine kicks into overdrive once the stadium lights turn on, and the cameras start rolling. Suddenly, timelines are flooded with posts about human rights violations, environmental damage, or the absurdity of building mega-stadiums in desert heat.

But guess what? By that point, the deals are signed, the infrastructure is built, and billions of dollars have already been poured into the spectacle. All the hashtags, hot takes, and think pieces in the world won’t do a thing to change the outcome. It’s performative outrage, plain and simple.

Let’s get real: if you’re serious about holding FIFA accountable—or Saudi Arabia for that matter—you need to channel that energy into action NOW. Complain all you want in 2034, but it’ll be way too late to move the needle by then.

The Blueprint for Change

FIFA isn’t untouchable. Public outcry and activism have forced changes in the past. Remember the backlash to Qatar 2022? That’s proof that outrage can matter—if it happens early enough.

FIFA thrives on the veneer of global legitimacy, and they fear reputational damage like the plague. If millions of fans, players, and even sponsors come together and make noise today, the 2034 tournament could still be re-evaluated. The key is collective, sustained pressure.

Start petitions. Write to your national football federations. Demand that sponsors like Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Visa take a stand. If FIFA sees that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could threaten their bottom line or public credibility, they’ll listen. They’ve shown time and again that money and optics rule their decisions.

The Saudi Question

Let’s not mince words here: Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup raises serious concerns. The kingdom’s human rights record, from the oppression of women and LGBTQ+ individuals to its treatment of migrant workers, cannot be ignored.

And no, flashy promises of reform or sportswashing campaigns to polish their image shouldn’t blind anyone to the ongoing issues. If we accept this uncritically, we’re complicit in legitimizing a regime that weaponizes sport to distract from its abuses.

And let’s not forget the environmental cost of staging a tournament in a region where cooling stadiums requires absurd levels of energy consumption. In a world on fire—literally—this isn’t just irresponsible. It’s grotesque.

Don’t Let FIFA Get Away With It (Again)

FIFA’s decision to hand Saudi Arabia the World Cup isn’t shocking. This is the same organization that gave us Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, after all. Corruption, backroom deals, and blatant disregard for ethics are baked into their DNA. But that doesn’t mean we should throw our hands up in defeat. If anything, it means we need to hold them to an even higher standard.

But make no mistake: FIFA is counting on your short attention span. They’re banking on you forgetting about this announcement by next week, so they can carry on with business as usual.

Don’t let them. The pressure needs to start now and build consistently over the next decade. The louder we get, the harder it will be for them to ignore.

The Bottom Line

If you’re angry about Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup, don’t wait until you’re watching Group Stages to voice your discontent. By then, your outrage will be nothing more than background noise.

The decision is made, but it’s not set in stone. FIFA has reversed decisions before, and they can do it again. But only if the pressure is relentless—and it starts now.

So, what are you going to do? Sit back and wait for the inevitable think pieces and Bluesky threads in 2034? Or are you going to step up today and demand accountability? The choice is yours.

Tick-tock.