Hani Abu Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, proposed that Egypt host matches for the 2034 World Cup in a recent meeting of the Confederation of African Football. He expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s organizational capacity and highlighted Egypt’s historical connection to the World Cup. Abu Rida underscored the importance of Egyptian-Saudi relations in facilitating this proposal and expressed hope for a unified celebration across continents.
Hani Abu Rida, the President of the Egyptian Football Association, formally proposed that Cairo be considered as a host city for some matches of the 2034 World Cup. This request was made during an extraordinary general assembly meeting of the Confederation of African Football held on March 12. He expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s organizational abilities following FIFA’s award of the World Cup hosting rights to the kingdom.
This decision, announced in December, granted Saudi Arabia the rights to host the tournament based on their exceptional bid score of 419.8 out of 500, which marks the highest technical evaluation recorded in World Cup history. Abu Rida noted the significance of the World Cup and commended FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his efforts to promote global football, particularly benefiting Africa.
Abu Rida emphasized Egypt’s historical ties to the World Cup, recounting that Egypt was originally invited to the first tournament in 1930; however, logistical and financial issues prevented participation. In 1934, Egypt became the first nation outside Europe and America to compete in the World Cup, an accomplishment he hopes will be honored by allowing Egypt to host group matches in recognition of this milestone.
He emphasized the strong relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, suggesting that their historical cooperation could support the hosting arrangement. Furthermore, he expressed optimism that Gianni Infantino would consider spreading the tournament’s celebration across various continents, enhancing the bond between Asia and Africa.
In conclusion, Abu Rida conveyed best wishes to the meeting’s attendees, expressing his hope for the future of African football and support for all candidates contributing to the continent’s development.
In conclusion, Hani Abu Rida’s request for Cairo to host matches in the 2034 World Cup highlights Egypt’s long-standing football heritage and significant regional ties with Saudi Arabia. His optimism for a broader celebration across continents signifies a move toward greater unity in global football. The legacy of Egypt’s participation in World Cup history enhances the rationale for their hosting proposal, which seeks to celebrate both past and present achievements in the sport.
Original Source: egyptianstreets.com
