There was controversy over the choice of Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup due to the country's human rights record.

The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations.

FIFA's decision for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 Men's World Cup, citing the country's human rights record and accusations of "sportswashing." Amb. Gerald M. Feierstein, director of the Arabian Peninsula Affairs Program at the Middle East Institute,