FIFA will take World Cup hosting decisions today: Saudi Arabia will host the tournament

Summary: Before Saudi Arabia emerged as the only candidate, Australia and Indonesia withdrew from discussions over a combined proposal for the 2034 event.

Since last year, the outcome has been obvious: FIFA will officially announce Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Additionally, a six-nation, three-continent initiative headed by co-hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be awarded the 2030 World Cup. 

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay sent a joint request to host the 2030 World Cup in 2022; however, FIFA announced last year that each of these countries will host one match during the competition.

Wednesday's decision was merely a formality because the world soccer governing body stated in October of last year that there were no competing applications for the two competitions.

A day before the announcement, it was still unclear exactly how the decision would be voted on; approval by "acclamation" rather than a formal vote was expected.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) criticized FIFA's bidding procedure on Tuesday, calling it "flawed and inconsistent" and announcing that it will vote against awarding of hosting rights by acclamation.

FIFA is donating one of the world's largest sporting rewards to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's state modernization project.