Saudi Arabia Aims To Host Largest Ever FIFA World Cup In 2034

Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al-Misehal announced that Saudi Arabia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 has garnered support from over 140 countries. This widespread backing reflects the international community's confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to host the event. He stated, "There is complete synergy and coordination among all government sectors to ensure the success of our bid to host this global event. We will deliver the best edition in the history of the World Cup on Saudi soil in 2034."

Al-Misehal expressed gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his support across all sectors, especially sports. He also thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz for his contributions to Saudi sports and endorsement of the World Cup 2034 bid. Additionally, he acknowledged Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal for his continuous support throughout the bidding process.

The head of the bid committee for the 2034 World Cup at SAFF, Hammad Al-Balawi, confirmed that Saudi Arabia aims to be the first country to host the tournament alone under its new format. He highlighted that this initiative enjoys unlimited support from Saudi leadership and will create numerous job opportunities for Saudis, noting that 80% of Saudis are sports enthusiasts, particularly football fans.

New sports stadiums are being constructed, which will benefit future generations. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia will serve as a test for some of these new stadiums. Al-Misehal emphasized ongoing efforts to prepare a highly capable national team to represent Saudi Arabia in the 2034 World Cup.

During a news conference in Riyadh, Al-Misehal noted that Saudi Vision 2030 has driven significant development and opened doors for global engagement with Saudi Arabia. He remarked, "The World Cup is a grand dream for the entire Saudi community." A visual presentation showcased five host cities and 15 world-class stadiums planned for the event, along with a railway network connecting regions within Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.

Logistics and Planning

The opening and final matches of the 2034 World Cup are planned to be held in Riyadh. The farthest distance a fan would need to travel within Saudi Arabia is two hours. A FIFA team is expected to visit host cities soon as part of their evaluation process.

Al-Balawi mentioned that hosting the World Cup aligns with a decade-long journey already underway. This effort aims not only at showcasing Saudi Arabia's capabilities but also at creating job opportunities and boosting national pride through sports.

This historic moment marks significant progress towards hosting one of the largest editions of the World Cup ever held by a single country. The comprehensive support from various sectors underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to delivering an exceptional event in 2034.

With inputs from SPA