Saudi Arabia Unveils Ambitious Plans To Host FIFA World Cup 2034

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has revealed Saudi Arabia's ambitious bid to host the largest-ever FIFA World Cup™ in a single country. This follows the submission of Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034™ official bid book at a ceremony in Paris, France. The bid slogan, ‘Growing. Together.’, is fully supported by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed gratitude for the leadership's support. He acknowledged the Crown Prince's guidance and empowerment over Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup 2034™ bid. "Together, we are working towards materializing Saudi Arabia's dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup™ into a tangible reality – as outlined within our official bid book," he stated.

The formal bid book details five proposed host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM. These cities will feature 15 advanced stadiums, including 11 new ones. Riyadh will have eight stadiums, including the new King Salman Stadium with over 92,000 seats for the opening and final matches. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will also be a notable architectural marvel.

In Jeddah, the new Jeddah Central Development Stadium will reflect local heritage with its design inspired by historic Jeddah Al-Balad architecture. The coastal King Abdullah Sports City Stadium will draw inspiration from Red Sea coral reefs. In Al Khobar, Aramco Stadium will feature a dynamic design inspired by sea whirlpools.

King Khalid University Stadium in Abha will undergo temporary expansion to accommodate over 45,000 spectators during the tournament. NEOM Stadium is expected to be one of the most distinctive stadiums globally, situated within THE LINE project more than 350 meters above ground and powered entirely by renewable energy.

The Kingdom plans to offer more than 230,000 rooms across the five host cities to meet FIFA requirements. These accommodations will cater to VIPs, FIFA delegations, teams, media personnel, and fans. Additionally, there are proposals for 132 training venues across 15 cities for participating teams' base camps.

Fan Engagement and Cultural Integration

The official bid book also outlines ten proposed FIFA Fan Festival™ sites in Saudi Arabia. These include King Salman Park in Riyadh set to become the world's largest urban park and other vibrant locations like Jeddah Waterfront on the Red Sea and Al Bihar square in Abha.

President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al-Misehal described this moment as significant for Saudi Arabia’s football development journey. He hopes that their comprehensive plans will excite football fans worldwide and inspire future generations.

An official SAFF delegation led by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud submitted the formal bid book at a FIFA ceremony in Paris on July 29th. This step underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to contributing to football’s growth globally.

A Vision for Global Connectivity

If granted hosting rights for FIFA World Cup 2034™, Saudi Arabia aims to deliver an unforgettable experience for all participants and fans while showcasing itself as a global sports hub. The Kingdom envisions hosting a tournament that could become the most-watched sporting event in history.

The hosting plan leverages Saudi Arabia's diverse geography with ten additional locations serving as training camps before and during the tournament. These cities offer iconic tourist attractions that allow teams and fans to explore ancient cultural heritage during their stay.

The official bid book reflects Saudi Arabia’s extensive plans and infrastructure projects highlighting its historic transformation. It outlines how these plans aim to successfully stage one of the world's largest sporting events while combining rich football heritage with deep passion for the game.

With inputs from SPA