In the fall of 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, the president of world soccer’s governing body, Gianni Infantino, traveled to Rome for an audience with the Italian prime minister.
Wearing masks and elbowing each other, Infantino, FIFA president, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte posed in front of the media before disappearing with the president of the Italian soccer federation into one of the state rooms of Palazzo Chigi, official residence of the Italian leader built in the 16th century. It was a meeting on the way forward for soccer to continue despite the confinement, explained Mr. Infantino.
But he had another urgent – and secret – matter to discuss.
Away from the cameras, Infantino surprised his hosts by revealing himself to be the bearer of Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host the biggest soccer championship, the World Cup. Saudi Arabia, already supported by Egypt, was then looking for a European partner for a unique tournament organized on three continents in 2030, the FIFA boss explained to Italian officials. Italy, he added, could be that partner.
Conte listened politely, but for him the partnership was stillborn: Italy had strained relations with Egypt since the 2016 torture killing in Cairo of Giulio Regeni, an Italian doctoral student. And in Europe, deep unease persisted over the role played by Saudi Arabia in 2018 in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, columnist for the Washington Post.
The Italian reaction to Mr. Infantino’s plan was initially “cautious and, after a few hours, negative,” says Pietro Benassi, then the prime minister’s top diplomatic adviser. For Italy, it was no.
Three years later, Saudi Arabia would still savor its triumph. On October 31, following an accelerated process that surprised even its members, FIFA confirmed that Saudi Arabia was the sole candidate to host the 2034 World Cup. Shortly after, M .Infantino suggested on social media that the matter was all but settled and various Persian Gulf leaders hailed an “Arab victory,” even though the official vote won’t take place for another year.
In the world of soccer, Infantino’s support for Saudi Arabia is nothing new. After Rome refused, he proposed that Greece co-host the World Cup with the Saudis, encouraged massive Saudi investment in soccer and helped change the rules that virtually ensured the kingdom would be the host country of world Cup.
“How can we ensure that growth and soccer values are at the forefront and not personal relationships? asks Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Soccer Federation and critic of FIFA governance.
A FIFA spokesperson responded on behalf of President Infantino to questions about his actions: Nothing inappropriate was done to secure a preferred candidate the World Cup, he said. “The selection of FIFA World Cup venues is done through an open and transparent tender,” the spokesperson said, adding that Mr. Infantino had not “triggered or initiated” discussions on Saudi Arabia’s candidacy with potential partners.
But the speed and opacity of the attribution of the 2030 and 2034 tournaments are sparking new criticism of the way in which FIFA runs soccer: the organization is criticized for the fact that its most important decisions are now made by a small group of leaders – led by Mr. Infantino – and then blessed by a compliant board of directors.
“What’s incredible is that this is the new FIFA,” laments Miguel Maduro, the first head of governance appointed by Mr. Infantino after his promises of transparency and ethical reforms. “But they are returning to the same way of awarding the World Cup. »
Saudi Arabia has never hidden its desire to welcome him. Under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi state is counting on sport to project the image of a dynamic, modern and open country. Billions have been spent on boxing matches, Formula 1, the LIV Golf circuit and, recently, the signing of major international soccer stars to the Saudi Professional League.
But the coveted jewel has always been the World Cup. And in Infantino, Saudi Arabia has found a zealous ally. In many ways, the kingdom’s ambitions coincided with its desire to create new events that defined its posterity and all required enormous capital.
Thus, in 2018, Infantino stunned the FIFA board of directors by presenting new competitions financed by investors whose identity he wanted to keep quiet.
After the failure of this project, it emerged that the mystery partner, SoftBank, counted Saudi Arabia among its main financial backers. In 2021, Mr. Infantino ignited a soccer storm by declaring that FIFA would consider a Saudi bid to hold the World Cup every two years (heavy disapproval scuttled the controversial idea).
Despite these failures, relations between Mr. Infantino and Saudi Arabia have only grown closer. He frequently touted Saudi events on social media. In 2021, he starred in a video by that country’s Ministry of Sports. In August 2022, he and Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared a dressing room at a boxing match in Jeddah.
Three months later, Mr. Infantino returned the favor in the opening match of the World Cup in Qatar. Last month, the two were photographed sitting side by side at another event in Riyadh.
At the same time, Mr. Infantino has made himself the ambassador of Saudi aims for the World Cup.
After Italy refused a joint bid, Saudi Arabia made the same offer to Greece, and Infantino discussed the project with the Greek prime minister on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in September 2021. But this idea was withdrawn when Morocco, Spain and Portugal proposed a bid deemed unbeatable for the 2030 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia has changed its strategy. Aware that the Spain-Portugal-Morocco proposal would likely trump a less well-off bid from four South American countries, the Saudis realized they could take advantage of FIFA rules barring a new Europe-Africa bid. for the organization of the 2034 World Cup.
Then, FIFA pulled two rabbits out of its hat.
She decreed that the first three matches of the 2030 World Cup would be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to celebrate the centennial of the World Cup (the first was held in Uruguay in 1930). This linked South America to the Portugal-Spain-Morocco bid and eliminated this continent from the list of eligible candidates in 2034.
But once 2030 was settled, FIFA announced without warning that it was bringing forward the call for tenders for 2034 by three years, an advantage for the ready-made Saudi candidacy, compared to other interested countries. Moreover, the deadlines were very tight: only 25 days to express their intentions, and a few more weeks to present official offers, which generally require significant government support.
Mr Infantino said “broad consultation” had preceded the decision. But Ms Klaveness, of the Norwegian federation, said she only became aware of it when she read the official press release; Australian soccer’s chief executive said the changes took his federation “a bit by surprise”.
Who wasn’t surprised? Saudi Arabia. In the minutes that followed, it published a statement from Prince Mohammed bin Salman announcing his candidacy for 2034. A few hours later, the president of the Asian federation announced the full support of all of its members for the offer Saudi.
Very quickly, Infantino left no doubt about the outcome he favored. At an Asian soccer summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and in an online follow-up a week later, the FIFA president urged the Asian federation – which includes Australia – to “be united for 2034 World Cup.” The message was not explicit. But it was received.
Indonesia, which a week earlier had mentioned its candidacy, gave it up. Australia, the only remaining potential candidate, withdrew a few hours before the deadline. According to its leader, James Johnson, Australia had concluded that no other proposal stood a chance in the face of such strong public support for the Saudis. “The numbers are against us. »
