Fans are not happy!
Rio Ferdinand has angered fans with his strange response to Saudi Arabia hosting that World Cup in ten years time.
FIFA confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup on Wednesday at a virtual meeting of the governing body’s Congress.
The decision to award the tournament to Saudi Arabia was shrouded in controversy despite the bid being unopposed.
Australia had put themselves forward but had pulled out of the running in October 2023 after suggesting they had been given insufficient time to mount an effective challenge.
The 2030 tournament is being staged across three continents as South America will host the first three games to celebrate 100 years since the first World Cup which was staged in Uruguay.
Critics said that this decision led to Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 edition as only countries from Asia and Oceania were eligible to bid for the tournament.
The BBC report that Saudi’s Public Investment Fund could make a major investment in DAZN, which has agreed to broadcast the expanded FIFA Club World Cup next summer.
FIFA also gave Saudi the highest-ever score for a World Cup bid in their evaluation report.
However, the country’s human rights record has raised concerns and environmental groups have also condemned the decision to award Saudi Arabia the tournament.
Rio Ferdinand took to X to express his views on the matter but caused backlash with his strange tweet.
He said: “Congratulations to Saudi Arabia for achieving the bid to host the 2034 World Cup!
“This is a football loving nation & I’m sure my friends in Saudi would have been celebrating last night.”
Congratulations to Saudi Arabia for achieving the bid to host the 2034 World Cup!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 12, 2024
This is a football loving nation & I’m sure my friends in Saudi would have been celebrating last night 👏🏽 #Saudi34 https://t.co/MuhsB1MG2o
The comments were awash with football fans slamming his comments.
One fan warned: “This won’t age well.”
While another said: “Come on Rio you are better than that.”
Others went as far as accusing Ferdinand of ‘endorsing modern slavery’ while someone else asked: “How much did they pay you to post this?”
The president of FIFA Gianni Infantino has said that the country will be ‘spectacular’ hosts.
In a statement he said: “The 2034 FIFA World Cup – the first of the new century, so to say, of World Cups, will be a spectacular event. What Saudi Arabia has put forward in their bid is absolutely incredible.”
It is not yet confirmed whether the tournament will be held in summer or if it will be moved to the winter as was the case for the last World Cup which was hosted by their neighbours Qatar.
