Lionel Messi vs Saudi Arabia: How Argentina Star Signed Tricky Deal Ahead of Subsequent World Cups

• Argentina superstar Lionel Messi was recently unveiled as the ambassador of Saudi Arabia as the country looks to expand
• Saudi Arabia and Argentina are set to launch bids to host the 2030 World Cups in what could be a dilemma for Messi
• The length of the deal is unknown, with the winner of the 2030 bid set to be announced in 2024

Lionel Messi could soon find himself between a rock and a hard place, with the hosting rights of the subsequent World Cups yet to be determined.

After Qatar 2022, the World Cup will head to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico who are set to jointly host the first expanded tournament of 48 teams in 2026.

The expanded World Cup is set to see future bids invite joint bids. The bid for the 2030 World Cup was officially opened in June, with only Spain, Portugal and Ukraine having submitted a joint bid so far.

Lionel Messi jokes with teammates by faking an injury during Argentina's public training

Football

The winner will be announced during FIFA's 74th annual congress in 2024. As Athletic reports, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay are set to submit a joint bid for South America, while Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece are also negotiating to host the 2030 showpiece.

Messi had committed to South American bid

Messi had in the past committed himself to the South American bid together with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. 2030 will see the football world mark 100 years since the first world cup won by Uruguay.

However, Messi recently signed a deal with Saudi Arabia, which could complicate issues for him. His deal saw him become a tourism ambassador for the country as it tries to market itself as a true sporting destination. It is part of the government's larger plan to implement its Vision 2030.

Lionel Messi names 2 nations that pose the greatest threat to Argentina at 2022 FIFA World Cup

Football

The Saudi government has invested in multiple sports deals, headlines by the huge takeover of English Premier League side Newcastle, the LIV Gold tour and the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche circuit.

In as much as the length of Messi's contract is not known, it remains to be seen how he will lobby to take the World Cup to another country, yet his own country is in the running.

Messi himself was in Saudi Arabia in May, presumably to agree on the final terms of the deal. Questions will also be raised about Messi's involvement with a country that has a poor record of human rights violations.

North Korea can host the World Cup

Sports Brief had earlier reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is open to North Korea hosting the World Cup in a bid to help “unite the world”.

Infantino, who is set to be re-elected to office for a third consecutive term, reckons that any nation is eligible to host the Mundial.

This year's hosts, Qatar have come under serious scrutiny owing to the Middle East nation's well-documented human rights violation and seemingly strong homophobic posture.