Saudi 2034 World Cup: FA chair Debbie Hewitt says it ‘wasn’t a difficult decision’ to back bid

The Football Association’s decision to back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup was “not difficult”, its chair Debbie Hewitt says.

Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the men’s tournament on Wednesday by football’s world governing body Fifa.

Organisers have insisted everyone will be welcome, but the country has been criticised for its human rights violations, women’s rights abuses and the criminalisation of homosexuality.

However, Hewitt told BBC Radio 5 Live the FA asked “a lot of questions” before supporting the bid.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision – I think it was a very thorough process,” added Hewitt.

“We spent a lot of time with the Saudis, understanding their approach to the tournament.

“We asked a lot of questions, they gave us a lot of time and they gave us a lot of commitments and I think the important thing is that we will now work with them over the next 10 years leading up to the tournament to make sure that those commitments are delivered – from both sides.”

The FA met with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) last month to discuss the bid in more detail. It said it was assured the SAFF is committed to providing a safe environment for all fans – including LGBTQ+ supporters.

“We were reassured by the answers that we got and think this is about a partnership,” said Hewitt, who added the FA would give organisers “the right groups to consult with”.

“A tournament is not just about the host. A tournament is about those who go along and play their part in it and that’s what we want to do.”

The 2034 World Cup will be the second to be held in the Middle East – it was staged in Qatar in 2022.

Saudi Arabia’s international standing was severely damaged by the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based Saudi journalist who was a prominent critic of the government.

In a statement, Rodney Dixon KC, who previously represented Hatice Cengiz, the widow of Khashoggi, said it was disappointing the FA, along with the Scottish and Welsh FAs – who also backed Saudi’s bid – had “merely followed the crowd”, rather than taking a stance against the oil-producing kingdom’s violations.

“They should reflect on their position and make use of the time before the 2034 World Cup to press for the necessary reforms in country, failing which they should act together with all states that stand for universal human rights to withdraw the tournament from Saudi Arabia,” Dixon added.