2034 World Cup could be played in 2035 with FIFA boxed into ‘unprecedented scheduling dilemma’

The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia could pose a nightmare for FIFA.

As happened with Qatar 2022, the tournament is expected to be moved to winter due to the oppressive heat of Middle Eastern summer.

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However, a report from American outlet Politico has revealed several major scheduling conflicts in an ‘unprecedented scheduling dilemma.’

The Qatar edition was held from November 20 to December 18, which will clash with Ramadan in 2034.

Dictated by the Islamic lunar calendar, the holiday is expected to run from November 12 through December 12.

In Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Ramadan has a major impact on public life and matches would potentially have to be played at night to fit in with local customs.

The tournament could be hosted earlier in the year, but the Winter Olympics is slated for January and February.

March sees around two million pilgrims head to Mecca for Hajj — another event which cannot be moved.

With temperatures then set to rise, FIFA could be stuck between a rock and a hard place and that is before taking into account the need to accommodate the schedule of worldwide leagues and continental competitions.

FIFA’s 2034 World Cup scheduling conundrum

Politico suggests that between Christmas 2034 and Hajj — set for mid-February in 2035 — could be the most logical window.

If FIFA wants to avoid Christmas, that doesn’t leave very long for a tournament which has already ballooned to 48 teams and could be 64 by 2030.

President Gianni Infantino is clearly not afraid of a logistical challenge.

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After the 2026 tournament was hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, 2030 is a six-country affair spread over three continents with Morocco and Spain fighting for the right to host the final.

The FIFA president is likely to be re-elected unopposed for another four-year term in 2027, although there is mounting opposition to his rule, especially in Europe.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin refused to attend Sunday’s final in protest at a number of controversies, with the final straw being Folarin Balogun‘s overturned suspension.

That could see more pressure from European clubs over any schedule changes in 2034.

There are also concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, as was the case for Qatar and Russia in 2018.

FIFA insists it is opening up the game and becoming truly global.

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Maintaining that stance will put bosses in an awkward situation should any conflicts arise with Muslim holidays.

Searing heat has been an issue at the current tournament thanks to a heatwave and Infantino spoke about the potential need to be flexible over football’s traditional June-July schedule.

“We are already into the nitty-gritty, we are discussing all the time,” he said in 2025. “It’s not just about one World Cup, it’s a general reflection.

“Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot. The best month to play football, which is June, is not used very much in Europe.

“Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we come to some conclusions. We just have to keep an open mind.”