The decision of Saudi Arabia to bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2034 has caused long debates, with people questioning how a desert climate would attract such a highly celebrated sporting event at the global level. This is the case since Saudi Arabia has well hosted major events that are not the same as the requirements of the FIFA World Cup. Of the total, the majority of the twenty above-average temperature years were recorded after the year 2001, indicating that Saudi Arabia is warming up even more. But if the hosting of this prestigious tournament is considered in the light of certain ecological, logistics, and welfare concerns relative to players and the environment, one might wonder why it was suitable to host in such a desert climate.
Extreme Heat: The Major Challenge
The desert climate of Saudi Arabia is characterized by extreme heat, especially during summer when the temperature reaches a high of 45°C (113°F). Since FIFA has scheduled matches for the cooler months of November and December, as happened in Qatar 2022, other issues come into play with this change:
Health Risks for Players:
In even cooler months, temperatures can rise to uncomfortable heights in the day. Moreover, during the process of training and playing within teams, heat increases the risk of such a heat-related condition as heat exhaustion and dehydration, endangering the health of players. Currently, the Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) defers to 30.5°C while the maximum temperature in April and May often goes up to 54°C and above.
The opponents contend that instead of being used to fund foreign issues, such a fund could be used to address some of the domestic challenges that face the country, for instance, the water crisis, the development of renewable energy sources, and diversification of the economy.
Poor Performance:
According to research, athletes’ physical performance suffers in hot and humid environments. They are unable to sustain high-intensity play, which can affect the quality of matches.
Spectator Comfort:
The fans who would attend the games may struggle to bear the extreme heat, especially those who have not been exposed to similar conditions. This may result in discouraging international viewers from attending in person; therefore, ticket sales may be affected, as may experience. By 2070, over half of Saudi Arabia is projected to face conditions comparable to today’s Sahara Desert, underscoring the urgent need for advanced adaptation strategies.
Environmental Issues
Hosting the FIFA World Cup in a desert climate will certainly raise significant environmental issues. Saudi Arabia’s arid environment has limited natural resources and thus cannot support large-scale events with ecological strain. Amongst some of the main issues are:
Water Scarcity:
The kingdom is heavily dependent on desalination plants to provide potable water. With millions of visitors coming to the kingdom for the World Cup, these facilities would come under enormous pressure and increase energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Energy-Consuming Cooling Systems:
To mitigate the heat, Saudi Arabia would have to rely on energy-consuming air conditioning systems in the stadiums, training grounds, and fan zones. This reliance would increase greenhouse gas emissions, opposing the global sustainability agenda.
Disturbance of Ecosystems:
The construction of new infrastructure, such as stadiums and accommodations, could disturb local ecosystems, particularly in fragile desert areas. The long-term environmental implications may outweigh the short-term benefits of hosting the tournament.
Logistical Challenges
This requires major logistics to enable smooth operations of the tournament as presented below.
Infrastructure development:
Although Saudi Arabia intends to construct futuristic cities like NEOM, developing climate-controlled stadiums, transportation systems, and accommodation structures will require major investments. In many instances, such infrastructural developments experience delays and technical issues arising from climatic conditions.
Transportation Issues:
Desert environments can hinder transportation, mainly during sandstorms, which are common. These create poor visibility, delay trips, and even endanger travelers, players, officials, and fans.
Player and Fan Well-Being
The desert climate presents a direct threat to the well-being of players and spectators. In its statutes, FIFA mandates the observance of due care for the health and well-being of all those taking part in its competitions. In Saudi Arabia:
Health Risks for Players:
Despite these cooling technologies, athletes can be very uncomfortable with these conditions. Heat stress affects their ability to think and their motor control; this further heightens the possibility of injuries.
The Fans’ Experience:
The International crowd, coming from temperate areas might find the climate challenging for adaptation in Saudi Arabia. Outdoor fan zones would demand massive cooling mechanisms to continue to exist.
Ethical and Economic Issues
Ethically, the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia raised issues regarding the costs of hosting a World Cup in a desert climate:
Economic Stress:
Hosting the World Cup in such difficult circumstances requires huge economic investment. Critics argue that such funds could be better utilized in solving some of the country’s pressing domestic problems, such as water shortages, renewable energy development, and economic diversification.
Saudi Arabia has the highest oil export dependence ratio, which is the export of oil divided by the value of combined exports and imports, in the world – 98% of the revenue and 87% of the export earnings is gotten from the export of oil rendering the economy vulnerable to in an unstable oil market. To help with the diversification push and to keep spending going with oil revenue shrinking the government has raised the debt limit from 30% of GDP to 50% of GDP. Total government debt is expected to rise to about 28 percent of GDP by the end of 2023.
Human Rights Issues:
The development of all the required infrastructure depends on migrant labor. The previous events in the region have been criticized for terrible labor conditions, and the same may happen with the World Cup event in Saudi Arabia.
Alternative Solutions
Instead of hosting the tournament in an unsuitable climate, FIFA can look at alternative solutions:
Rotating Hosts:
Rotating the World Cup among regions with suitable climates and infrastructure could ensure fairness while minimizing environmental and logistical challenges.
Co-Host:
Saudi Arabia might also look towards co-hosting with her neighbors who may be relatively in favor with the weather and will decrease the burden of hosting entirely on one nation.
Exploring Sustainable Technologies:
The government of Saudi Arabia being committed to hosting might still find a solution for a few climate-related challenges through spending on innovative technologies like Solar cooling systems
Conclusion
While the ambition of Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 is laudable, it cannot be ignored that its desert climate poses challenges. Extreme heat, environmental strain, logistical hurdles, and risks to player welfare make the nation an unsuitable host for the tournament. FIFA has to consider these factors and decide such a way that aligns with its commitment towards sustainability, fairness, and the well-being of all participants.
