Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and massive spending in global sports have been detailed in research ahead of the kingdom being confirmed by FIFA next week as the 2034 World Cup host.

According to a FIFA evaluation, Saudi Arabia's World Cup hosting bid in 2034 has "good potential" to spark reform

BBC sports editor Dan Roan explains the issues raised as Fifa releases its evaluation report for Saudi Arabia's unopposed bid to host the men's World Cup in 2034.

FIFA has approved the quality of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup in a 110-page evaluation that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is poised to be confirmed as the host of the 2034 men’s World Cup after FIFA approved its human rights record. The country was classified as ‘medium risk’ for human rights in FIFA’s evaluation report, despite warnings that migrant workers could face significant risks, including fatalities, during preparations for the tournament.

Saudi Arabia is set to stage a winter World Cup in 2034 after a FIFA evaluation report highlighted the likelihood of the competition being played "between October-April."

Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid received a higher technical score from FIFA than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico even though the Middle East nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.