Egypt has officially submitted a request to host a selection of group-stage matches for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The announcement was made by the president of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), Hany Abo Rida, during the 14th Confederation of African Football (CAF) extraordinary general assembly held in Cairo today.
During the assembly, Abo Rida expressed Egypt’s support for Saudi Arabia’s upcoming role as the tournament’s host nation while also appealing to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the opportunity to co-host a portion of the tournament.
“Saudi Arabia will stand up and organize a historic edition of the World Cup, and we wish our Saudi brothers every success,” Abo Rida stated. “But at the same time, we hope that Mr. Infantino will grant us, as Africans and Egyptians, the honor of hosting and organizing one of the World Cup groups in 2034.”
A Historic Milestone for Egypt
Egypt’s request coincides with a significant milestone in the country’s football history: the centenary of its participation in the 1934 FIFA World Cup, where Egypt became the first African nation to compete in the tournament, held in Italy.
This request is seen as part of Egypt’s long-standing ambition to bring the World Cup to its soil.
Previously, Egyptian officials had expressed interest in hosting the entire tournament in 2034. Additionally, Egypt had launched an unsuccessful joint bid alongside Saudi Arabia and Greece to co-host the 2030 edition, which was eventually awarded to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Saudi Arabia: The Sole Host of the 2034 World Cup
After being the only candidate to bid, Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup by the FIFA Congress on December 11, 2024.
This marks the first time the kingdom will host the world’s biggest football tournament, following in the footsteps of Qatar, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the tournament further cements the Arab world’s growing influence in global football. The 2034 World Cup will make Saudi Arabia the third Arab nation to host the prestigious event, following Qatar in 2022 and Morocco in 2030, when it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Despite Egypt’s enthusiasm, the request to host World Cup matches in 2034 faces several challenges. FIFA’s current format for the tournament does not include provisions for co-hosting in a situation where a sole host nation has already been selected.
Additionally, logistical considerations, infrastructure requirements, and FIFA’s approval process will all play key roles in determining whether Egypt’s proposal is feasible.
However, Egypt boasts a strong footballing culture and has successfully hosted multiple international tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2019.
The country’s well-developed stadiums and infrastructure, coupled with its historical significance in African and global football, could bolster its case for consideration.
Egypt’s request will now be evaluated by FIFA, which has yet to make an official response regarding the proposal.
Should FIFA entertain the idea, discussions between the governing body, Saudi Arabia, and Egyptian officials will be necessary to determine the feasibility of the request.
For now, Egypt remains hopeful that its historic ties to the tournament and its regional partnership with Saudi Arabia will help it secure a role in the 2034 World Cup.
Football enthusiasts across Africa will be eagerly watching to see whether the country’s dream of hosting part of the prestigious tournament becomes a reality.
