Saudi Arabia Officially Submits Bid For FIFA World Cup 2034 Hosting Rights

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially submitted its bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™. The ceremony took place in Paris, France, with an official delegation led by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The delegation also included Yasser Al-Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), and two young talents from regional training centres.

Saudi Arabia’s bid is a significant milestone, empowered by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and supported by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This effort aligns with Vision 2030's sports objectives and reflects the ambitions of the Saudi people. The involvement of two children in submitting the bid highlights the contributions of the youth, who are a major segment of the population. Their participation sends a powerful message about their dreams to see a FIFA World Cup™ on home soil.

Yasser Al-Misehal, President of SAFF, stated: "Our bid campaign marks our firm commitment to hosting the world’s greatest football tournament, and a deep desire to advance sport and the quality of life for our people. Our country’s love of football is rooted in history, and we want to showcase to FIFA how we will harness this enthusiasm not just in 2034 – but for generations to come. We want to create an enduring legacy to help push Saudi Arabia’s transformation to new heights."

The submission marks the third stage in securing hosting rights for 2034. Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid as the sole nation vying for this edition. This was followed by an official bid campaign reveal. The current submission underscores Saudi Arabia's determination and commitment to host the event.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal expressed gratitude towards visionary leadership that enabled reaching this milestone in Saudi sports history. He thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his unwavering support for sports development. He said: "Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™ is a bid for the future. The Kingdom aims to host the most important event in football, reaffirming its influential position globally across various fields, including sports."

Future Ambitions

The inclusion of young talents in submitting the bid book is an initiative led by SAFF. It aligns with projected growth over ten years and reflects aspirations and ambitions of Saudis passionate about hosting an exceptional FIFA World Cup™ edition. The next stages involve official visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation leading up to selecting the host nation.

The Kingdom's love for football is deeply rooted in history, aiming not just at 2034 but creating a lasting legacy for future generations. This commitment showcases how enthusiasm will be harnessed beyond 2034, pushing Saudi Arabia's transformation further.

This effort represents more than just hosting; it signifies advancing sport and improving quality of life for Saudis while showcasing their passion on a global stage.

With inputs from SPA