While the news was hardly a surprise, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the sole candidate last year, officials took advantage of the formal announcement to stage celebrations hailing their bid's success.
Human rights groups including Amnesty International immediately condemned FIFA's decision, saying it "marks a moment of great danger" and voicing concern about risks to construction workers.
Such external criticism has dogged Saudi Arabia during its push to rebrand as a sports powerhouse by staging high-profile tennis tournaments, Formula One races and boxing matches on Saudi soil.
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Kwena a huge talent
WALTER: MUST ALLOW YOUNG FAST BOWLER SPACE TO THRIVE AND GROW
Bulls shake up their loose trio
The Bulls are hoping to use the learnings they picked up in two Champions Cup defeats over the past two weekends, to help them get a win over a Springbok-laden Sharks in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Kings Park in Durban this evening (kick-off 6pm).
Sacha ready to put in a big shift
URC: FOCUSED ON HELPING WITH A STORMERS REVIVAL
Aussie feel to two French Top 14 clubs
La Rochelle host Clermont in the French Top 14 today with an Australian feel to both clubs' hefty second rows.
Lions place strong focus on tightening up their defence
The Lions will be looking to shore up their leaky defence when they take on the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match-up at the Cape Town Stadium today (kick-off 3.45pm).
Sharks must get bite back
The Sharks are aiming to bounce back in their United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter against the Bulls at Kings Park in Durban today (kick-off 6pm), after a disruptive week.
India hold the whip hand in world cricket
Pakistan's loss of several Champions Trophy matches underlines India's dominance of cricket - and that \"stranglehold\" could tighten with an Indian now heading the global governing body.
Fourie to call the shots
STORMERS: VETERAN NAMED SKIPPER AS KEY STARS RETURN TO FACE LIONS
Konstas drawn into Aussie mix
CHANCE: TEENAGE OPENER IN SIZZLING DOMESTIC FORM
Retiring Ashwin is one of the 'all-time greats'
Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (below) will go down as one of India's greatest players after retiring from international cricket this week aged 38.
