Chelsea’s manager Emma Hayes has raised serious concerns about the feasibility of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup, given the nation’s stance on LGBTQ rights.
Hayes has expressed her belief that significant progress must be made before such a decision can be considered.
Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes says that "lots of work has to be done" before a decision is made on whether Saudi Arabia can host the 2035 Women's World Cup.
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Saudi Arabia, which has already submitted bids for the 2034 Men’s World Cup and the AFC Women’s Asia Cup in 2026, recently announced its desire to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035.
While women’s football in the country is making strides with the launch of a national team last year and a Premier League division this month, issues loom large over their position on LGBTQ rights. Homosexuality remains a criminal offense in the Gulf kingdom.
The stance has raised concerns among female players, with many being open about their sexuality. Several athletes openly voiced their objections to a sponsorship deal between the tourism authority Visit Saudi and the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, prompting FIFA to cancel the arrangement after facing significant backlash. A similar controversy may arise if Saudi Arabia successfully secures the tournament for 2035.
The Chelsea manager Emma Hayes believes significant progress needs to be made in Saudi Arabia to ensure LGBTQ+ footballers feel safe to play before the nation is awarded a World Cup.
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Speaking on the matter, Hayes expressed that there are numerous issues to address before hosting a World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “To host a World Cup in Saudi, there has to be thorough discussions about how it can work, given the country’s laws and views on homophobia,” she commented.
“It’s essential that the authorities represent all facets of the women’s game to ensure that it is a safe environment for everyone to play. It’s also crucial that nobody faces arrests or discriminatory treatment due to their LGBTQ status.”