The Football Association’s decision to back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup was “not difficult” after organisers gave “a lot of commitments”, its chair Debbie Hewitt says.
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the men’s tournament on Wednesday by football’s world governing body Fifa.
Organisers have insisted everyone will be welcome, but the country has been criticised for its human rights violations, women’s rights abuses and the criminalisation of homosexuality.
However, Hewitt told BBC Radio 5 Live that England’s FA asked “a lot of questions” before supporting the bid.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision – I think it was a very thorough process,” added Hewitt.
“We spent a lot of time with the Saudis, understanding their approach to the tournament.
“We asked a lot of questions, they gave us a lot of time and they gave us a lot of commitments and I think the important thing is that we will now work with them over the next 10 years leading up to the tournament to make sure that those commitments are delivered – from both sides.”
The FA met with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) last month to discuss the bid in more detail. It said it was assured the SAFF is committed to providing a safe environment for all fans – including LGBTQ+ supporters.
“We were reassured by the answers that we got and think this is about a partnership,” said Hewitt, who added the FA would give organisers “the right groups to consult with”.
“A tournament is not just about the host. A tournament is about those who go along and play their part in it and that’s what we want to do.”
The 2034 World Cup will be the second to be held in the Middle East – it was staged in Qatar in 2022.
Saudi Arabia’s international standing was severely damaged by the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based Saudi journalist who was a prominent critic of the government.
In a statement, Rodney Dixon KC, who previously represented Hatice Cengiz, the widow of Khashoggi, said it was disappointing the FA, along with the Scottish and Welsh FAs – who also backed Saudi’s bid – had “merely followed the crowd”, rather than taking a stance against the oil-producing kingdom’s violations.
“They should reflect on their position and make use of the time before the 2034 World Cup to press for the necessary reforms in country, failing which they should act together with all states that stand for universal human rights to withdraw the tournament from Saudi Arabia,” Dixon added.
England coach Thomas Tuchel, speaking at the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, said he backed the FA’s stance.
“The federations made their votes, the decision is done,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I am fully behind the statement of the FA, and from there on I think a coach has also the right to be a coach, and players have the right to be players.”
Tuchel, who will take charge officially in January, was also asked about the possibility of the World Cup being moved to the winter.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup was played from 20 November to 18 December because of the stifling summer heat in the Middle East.
“We just had a meeting with all the other coaches,” Tuchel said.
“I think there is not a decision made, but the coaches who were on international duty in Qatar were very happy about the winter World Cup because players came in November and December, so not after a tiring season but in the middle of it.
“The football quality in Qatar was very high, so from this point of view everyone was very positive about it, but I don’t know if this is a scenario that can be repeated.”
Dan Roan, BBC sports editor
The FA has come under pressure to explain how its support of the LGBTQ+ community through the Rainbow Laces campaign is consistent with its backing of a tournament in a country where homosexuality is illegal, and why it failed to abstain from Wednesday’s acclamation, like Norway did.
It is therefore keen to emphasise the commitments it claims it has received from the Saudi authorities that LGBTQ+ fans will be welcome and safe.
However, some may ask how FA bosses can be so confident 10 years out from the event, and given the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, when some fans had rainbow-coloured items confiscated by stadium security staff, despite Fifa’s claims it had received assurances from the government that would not happen.
Some senior FA officials are known to have been wary of accusations of hypocrisy if the governing body were not to support Saudi Arabia but then wanted England to participate in its World Cup.
The FA may also be less inclined to take a stand, having caved in to Fifa’s threats of sporting sanctions in Qatar, when it was among several associations to abandon plans for players to wear ‘OneLove’ armbands intended as an anti-discrimination protest.
With a potential joint bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, the British football federations may have been keen to avoid a rift with Fifa.
And the FA will also have been aware of Saudi Arabia’s importance to the UK government as a key ally in the Middle East, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visiting the country’s crown prince this week in a bid to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
