The 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia is poised for a major schedule shift, with a potential kickoff in January 2034—ten months earlier than originally planned.
The move, aimed at avoiding a clash with Ramadan, would echo the scheduling adjustments seen during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which disrupted domestic football calendars by starting in November.
The Gulf state’s summer temperatures, which can soar to 45°C in June, have made a traditional summer tournament infeasible. However, the proximity of the tournament to Ramadan has prompted further scheduling concerns. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours, complicating both match logistics and fan attendance.
Discussions reportedly center on a January start, possibly coinciding with the new year. Such a shift would minimize disruption to Ramadan and provide more favorable playing conditions.
If confirmed, the revised schedule would result in a severely curtailed Premier League festive fixture list, reminiscent of the adjustments made for Qatar 2022. Boxing Day fixtures could mark the conclusion of a condensed first half of the domestic season, with a likely seven-week Premier League break for the World Cup.
European club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, would also face a tighter scheduling window for their group stage matches.
The 2034 World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches, requiring a match “footprint” of approximately 35 to 38 days. While FIFA is exploring ways to slightly reduce this timeframe, logistical constraints make a significant reduction unlikely.
The decision to officially award the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia is expected at next week’s FIFA Congress, where the 2030 World Cup hosts—Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay—will also be confirmed.
With Saudi Arabia the sole candidate for the 2034 World Cup, FIFA is likely to finalize the January start in the coming months. The decision will require careful coordination with domestic leagues, particularly the Premier League, which faces yet another season disrupted by a winter World Cup.
Football fans and players alike are bracing for another unprecedented adjustment to the global football calendar.
