Egypt Seeks to Host Matches for 2034 FIFA World Cup
Egypt has officially expressed interest in hosting some matches for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is primarily set to be staged in Saudi Arabia.
The global football tournament will be making a return to the Middle East after Qatar successfully hosted the 2022 edition, where Argentina emerged as champions.
Egypt’s Bid for Co-Hosting Rights
Speaking at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Hany Abo Rida revealed that the North African country has submitted a request to FIFA to co-host part of the prestigious tournament.
“Saudi Arabia will stand up and organise a historic edition of the World Cup, and we wish our Saudi brothers every success,” Rida was quoted as saying by Soccermag.
“But at the same time, we hope that FIFA president Mr. Gianni Infantino will grant us, as Africans and Egyptians, the honour of hosting and organising one of the World Cup groups in 2034.”
A Historic Opportunity for Africa
If FIFA grants Egypt’s request, the country will become only the third African nation to host World Cup matches. South Africa made history as the first African host in 2010, while Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal.
Egypt has a rich footballing history and an established infrastructure that has previously seen it successfully host major tournaments, including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
As FIFA continues its evaluation of World Cup hosting plans, it remains to be seen whether Egypt’s request will be approved, potentially giving African fans another taste of football’s biggest spectacle on their home soil.
