The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday said it will vote against FIFA’s awarding of hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups by acclamation, adding that it had formally criticised the process in a letter to the world governing body.
Votes are due to be held at FIFA’s virtual extraordinary Congress on Wednesday to approve the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, though each has only a single bid, which are both expected to be confirmed by acclamation.
A combined bid from Morocco, Spain and Portugal is the sole one for 2030, while Saudi Arabia is the lone bidder for 2034. FIFA announced both bidders in October last year.
“Ahead of the Congress, the Norwegian Football Federation has expressed concerns on several occasions about FIFA’s process for awarding the 2030 and 2034 World Cups,” the NFF said in a statement.
“The NFF will formally criticise the bidding process in a letter to FIFA and request that this be recorded in the Congress minutes.
“If a vote by acclamation is held, the NFF will vote against it. The NFF cannot endorse a process it considers flawed and inconsistent with the principles of FIFA’s own reforms.”
The NFF also requested that its criticism be officially recorded by FIFA.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
