We now know, more than 11 years ahead of time, who will be the hosts for the next three World Cups. After the US, Mexico and Canada have shared the hosting duties in 2026, and Spain, Portugal and Morocco have done it in 2030*, the tournament will be played out in Saudi Arabia in 2034. This is the latest wave to be made by the country in its bid to become a major player in the global soccer game – and pundits have been quick to ask whether this is part of the Ronaldo Effect.
*(Each of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will host one game in 2030 as part of centenary commemorations, but the official hosts are Spain, Portugal and Morocco)
A year ago, while many soccer fans were dimly aware of the existence of a
Saudi Pro League, few really gave it any attention. Some, perhaps, would have cast an eye over it as research for the national team’s appearance at the Qatar World Cup. But the organizing committee for the 2034 competition is banking on the idea that by 2034, we’ll all be extremely familiar with players, stadia and teams from the Gulf state; and Ronaldo certainly has his part to play in that.
Not as a player… probably
Depending on when the games are played in 2034, Ronaldo will either be 48 or 49 years of age, several years older than the oldest footballer ever to play in a World Cup (Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who was 45 when he played in 2018). He won’t be
playing
at the Saudi World Cup, barring major advances in sports medicine or changes to nationality regulations. But he could certainly have a part to play in terms of an ambassadorial role between now and then.
He may, indeed, have a more involved role to play, dependent on whether he decides to take up coaching once his playing days are over. In 2019 he stated bluntly that he has no intention of doing so, but since then has hinted that he would like to get involved in coaching. The authorities in Saudi Arabia – who have specific financial interests in the Pro League – have exceptionally deep pockets, and if they want to persuade CR7 to take on such a role, will certainly have the means to persuade him. It wouldn’t be a big shock if he took on a backroom role at Al Nassr, and in 2034 was considered as a contender to lead the national team.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Get bonus now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Get bonus now
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. Home or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
What other roles could he play?
It’s not hard to argue against Ronaldo being shoehorned into a coaching role in advance of the World Cup being played in
Saudi Arabia. Players with limited dugout experience have been handed international coaching roles in the past, with a mixed record in terms of success. Diego Maradona’s spell in charge of Argentina was unsurprisingly chaotic. Andriy Shevchenko coached Ukraine with much less distinction than he showed as a player. Hristo Stoichkov was unable to bring his magic as a player to his role as coach of Bulgaria, losing most of his games and causing three players to retire from international football just to avoid him.
So maybe Ronaldo’s role in the 2034 World Cup should be focused off the pitch. He’s by far the biggest name ever to get involved with Saudi soccer. He’s one of the biggest names in the history of the sport. It would make nothing but sense to get him involved with the publicity campaign for the competition, particularly since he’s played in five World Cups himself, something few players have ever managed. And he was clear when he arrived in Riyadh that he saw his role as including a raising of the profile of Saudi Arabian soccer – this is an ultimate opportunity to do just that.
Did Ronaldo’s arrival deliver the World Cup to the kingdom?
Both before the confirmation of the 2034 host nation and since, much as been made of the boost that Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has delivered to Saudi soccer, with many arguing that it has raised the probability of the tournament being awarded to the nation. However, that’s not the whole story.
Saudi Arabia was one of two nations bidding to host the tournament, the other being Australia. Nations from South America, Europe and Africa were barred from hosting after the 2030 tournament was confirmed to be taking place across those three continents. And with the deadline for bids being the 31st of October 2023, and Australia pulling out just days before that deadline, there was in effect only one choice. It had to be the Saudi bid. Whether Australia’s decision to pull out was influenced by the Ronaldo factor – and the many other players that have joined the SPL since he arrived – is a matter of some speculation.
We may never know – but whether the Ronaldo Effect played a part or not, it’s sure to be influential from this point on.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA Players Welcome
Bet now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
USA Players Welcome
Bet now
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. Home or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat - CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. Home or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This site is using
Cloudflare
and adheres to the
Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted
Google's Privacy Guidelines
to keep your data safe at all times.
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Our Favorite
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
Bet365 Promo
Bet $5 & Get $200 in bonus bets
Best Slots
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Code:
Open Bet365
Open Bet365
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Newcomer
T&Cs and 21+ apply
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
