Again-to-back FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics doable in early 2034: IOC govt director

File image of Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) govt director Christophe Dubi
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Scheduling the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia back-to-back with the 2034 Salt Lake Metropolis Winter Video games would pose “no danger” to the U.S. Olympics, a senior IOC official stated.

“We do not see at this stage a serious concern. Quite the opposite, it’s quite a lot of sport in the time-frame,” Christophe Dubi, the Worldwide Olympic Committee govt director for the video games, stated at an internet briefing after a board assembly, suggesting two main sports activities occasions shut collectively can be “an actual feast” for followers.

Dubi’s feedback prompt January 2034 is surprisingly open for FIFA and Saudi Arabia to stage soccer’s marquee occasion regardless of a near-clash with the Salt Lake Metropolis Olympics that goals to have a gap ceremony on Feb. 10 that yr.

Taking part in a World Cup in January 2022 was not an possibility when FIFA and future event host Qatar — within the planning phases a decade in the past — wanted to seek out cooler months to keep away from the searing Center East warmth in June and July.

Earlier than deciding in 2015 to play in Qatar in November-December 2022, FIFA understood from Olympic officers it might be unacceptable to maneuver too near the 2022 Winter Video games.

These Olympics ultimately had been hosted in Beijing, opening on Feb. 4.

Saudi World Cup to be confirmed quickly

Saudi Arabia will probably be confirmed subsequent week by FIFA as host of a 2034 World Cup that can’t realistically be performed in summer season months when temperature routinely exceeds 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

The brand new 48-team, 104-game World Cup format takes 38 days to play.

Requested if the IOC desires January and early February to be off limits for FIFA in 2034 to guard Salt Lake Metropolis, Dubi stated: “I feel that the danger of getting these two in parallel is immensely restricted.”

“From all standpoints, together with a business one, we now have truly nearly no danger,” he stated. “That is going to be for sports activities followers an actual feast throughout a interval of no matter it’s, three, 4 months, the place you will have these two occasions.”

Saudi Arabia at the moment has wonderful relations — politically and financially — with FIFA and IOC to resolve the scheduling concern.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has constructed an in depth working relationship over a number of years with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the IOC this yr sealed a 12-year deal for the dominion to host the brand new Esports Olympics.