Back-to-back FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics possible in early 2034: IOC executive director

2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Games pose no risk to U.S. Olympics.

Scheduling the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia back-to-back with the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Games would pose “no risk” to the U.S. Olympics, a senior IOC official said.

“We don't see at this stage a major issue. On the contrary, it is a lot of sport in the time frame,” Christophe Dubi, the International Olympic Committee executive director for the games, said at an online briefing after a board meeting, suggesting two major sports events close together would be “a real feast" for fans.

Dubi's comments suggested January 2034 is surprisingly open for FIFA and Saudi Arabia to stage football's marquee event despite a near-clash with the Salt Lake City Olympics that aims to have an opening ceremony on Feb. 10 that year.

Playing a World Cup in January 2022 was not an option when FIFA and future tournament host Qatar — in the planning stages a decade ago — needed to find cooler months to avoid the searing Middle East heat in June and July.

Before deciding in 2015 to play in Qatar in November-December 2022, FIFA understood from Olympic officials it would be unacceptable to move too close to the 2022 Winter Games.

Those Olympics eventually were hosted in Beijing, opening on Feb. 4.

Saudi Arabia will be confirmed next week by FIFA as host of a 2034 World Cup that cannot realistically be played in summer months when temperature routinely exceeds 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).