Cairo -

With the great success witnessed by the World Cup "FIFA Qatar 2022", it seems that the appetite of many countries is open to repeating the experience, especially in the Arab world, which was confirmed yesterday, Sunday, by the Egyptian Minister of Youth, Ashraf Sobhi, by saying that his country's capabilities allow organizing such major tournaments in one day. of the days.

The minister's televised statements confirm his previous statements about Cairo's quest to host the 2030 or 2034 World Cup, as well as the 2036 Olympics, in conjunction with the announcement by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib at the end of last November to study a joint bid with Egypt and Greece to organize the 2030 World Cup, in An interview with Bloomberg in the capital, Riyadh.

According to a sports critic - who spoke to Al-Jazeera Net on condition of anonymity - the issue needs a good study from Egypt in light of internal and external challenges that require possessing many ingredients in light of strong competitors, while an economist feared being deceived by the presence of some ingredients for candidacy in light of the current severe economic crisis. .

Formal justifications for the advance

At the end of last September, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's readiness to host major world championships in various games at the highest organizational, administrative and logistical level, after modernizing the sports infrastructure in all its facilities at the level of the Republic and constructing the Egyptian Olympic Games City in the new administrative capital, in addition to what has been done. Increasing the efficiency of international airports, the transport and communication network, and developing the road network.

Al-Sisi's statements came during a meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the two sides to host major international sporting events, according to a statement by the presidential spokesperson.

According to government statements, the Olympics and World Cup files depend on a number of factors:

  • Existing sports facilities such as: Egypt International Olympic City in the New Administrative Capital, with the development of the Olympic City in Burj Al Arab, north of the capital, Cairo.

  • Influential Egyptian personalities in international federations, such as: President of the International Handball Federation, Dr. Hassan Mustafa, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, Eng. Hisham Abu Hatab.

  • Previous experiences in organizing the Handball World Cup in its 27th edition in Egypt last year, in addition to organizing the African Cup of Nations in 2019.

  • To avoid the failure of the bid to host the 2010 World Cup, in which Egypt did not get any votes, and the local media describes it as the "zero World Cup scandal".

  • Seeking partnership with other countries to organize the 2030 or 2034 World Cup to reduce spending, similar to the 2026 edition that is being held in North America between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  • Kach's statements, who confirmed - according to a statement by the Ministry of Sports - that the sports infrastructure in Egypt allows it to host the Olympics.

Important conditions and difficult data

In this context, sports critic Ahmed Saad believes that he wishes Egypt the honor of attending the international arena and organizing such international events, but the current indicators and data are theoretically difficult in the foreseeable future, according to his opinion, if a radical change does not occur, especially since the decision now belongs to the General Assembly. FIFA, and not in the hands of members of the Executive Committee as was the case previously.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Saad explains the importance of initial thinking about the reasons for the failure of 2010, obtaining "zero votes" and verifying the occurrence of real change and the opportunities that Egypt is betting on, because the reality confirms that things have not changed for the better on several levels, in a way that makes Egypt worthy of organizing these two The two accidents.

Saad points out that Egypt has a good sports structure and suitable stadiums, but the issue is not only in the structure, as there are other factors that are taken into account with regard to the World Cup, such as the state’s commitment to the standards of the game and the non-interference of state institutions in managing the ball and the entry of affiliated institutions in the football league, such as clubs. Military Production, Petrojet, Interior, and others.

The sports critic expresses his concern about the presence of some cadres that caused the "zero World Cup" in the sports scene so far, including a member of the Executive Office of the International Football Association, Hani Abu Raida, who usually denies his involvement in the failure of 2010.

He draws attention to the strength of competitors this time. In 2010, Egypt failed in front of South Africa, but there are now countries from Europe and Latin America that have stronger aspirations and relations to snatch the organization of the World Cup.

Saad warns of the impact of the absence of the fans from the stadiums in Egypt, in storming the candidacy file, surprising that a country has not accommodated the presence of all its fans in the stadiums for security considerations for years, how does it accommodate huge numbers of fans in international mass events?

Economic cost

The economic dimension raises itself in discussing the issue of Egypt's progress in organizing the World Cup or the Olympics, which is an obstacle, according to some, given the required billion cost.

In this context, economist Abdel Hafez Al-Sawy believes that the current circumstances do not allow Egypt to take risks in this direction, in light of its more urgent priorities under the pressure of the global economic crisis.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Sawy adds, "The premises indicate the results. Egypt is now in a very big economic and financial crisis, and the crisis is a symptom of a chronic disease in the Egyptian economy that lacks a correct economic vision, which always drives it to rely on others, whether with goods, services or financing."

The economist fears that talking about the World Cup or the Olympics will bring new ill-conceived decisions to enter a new spiral of debt, or mortgage more assets to foreigners.

Al-Sawy calls on the authorities not to be deceived by the existence of some capabilities, especially with the pressure of other priorities that require resources for spending, such as education, scientific research, health, and improving citizens' incomes.

competitors for Egypt

The Summer Olympics - since its inception in 1896 - have never been held in any Arab or African country, which enhances Egypt's opportunity, according to some.

The procedures for officially applying for the bid to host the 2036 Olympics have not yet begun, but there are reports of a desire to host this tournament in many countries, including: Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, India and Qatar.

The next edition of the Olympics will be held in the French capital, Paris, in 2024, Los Angeles will host the next edition in 2028, and the Australian city of Brisbane will host the 2032 Games.

And last July, Morocco announced its intention to submit a unilateral request to host the 2030 World Cup, after losing the right to organize the tournament that will be held in 2026 in America.

Spain, Portugal and Ukraine announced a tripartite offer to co-host the same edition.

Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay also announced the joint candidacy for the same tournament, coinciding with the centenary of the founding of the World Cup, which started in Uruguay, South America in 1930.