Saudi Arabia officially announces bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

 

Saudi Arabia officially announces bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia has officially announced its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup in response to an invitation from FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, which called on member associations from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Oceania Football Confederation to submit their bids.

The bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034 is led by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and aims to deliver a world-class tournament. It draws inspiration from the country's ongoing social and economic transformation, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.

 

Saudi Arabia proposes Neom as host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup

 

SAFF stated, "Saudi Arabia's inaugural FIFA World Cup bid is backed by the country's growing experience of hosting world-class football events and its ongoing plans to welcome fans across the world to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup."

Saudi Arabia has qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times since 1994, with their most recent appearance in 2022, where they achieved a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed the significance of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034 for Saudi Arabia, stating, "Hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would help us achieve our dream of becoming a leading nation in world sport and would mark a significant milestone in the country's transformation. As an emerging and welcoming home for all sports, we believe that hosting a FIFA World Cup is a natural next step in our football journey."

 

Saudi Arabia looking forward to host FIFA World Cup in 2034

 

With the FIFA World Cup expanding to a 48-team tournament starting in 2026, Saudi Arabia plans to streamline logistics by hosting all matches within its borders. This approach aims to optimize travel, scheduling, and provide unique fan experiences across host venues and cities.

Saudi Arabia's commitment to sports is aligned with its global ambitions under the Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build new industries and create jobs. The country has become a sporting hub and a destination for hosting major events, driven by its rich cultural heritage, economic strength, and the ambition of its people. The Public Investment Fund, managing nearly $800 billion in assets, has invested in major football clubs, further boosting the country's presence in the global football landscape.

Saudi Arabia has also attracted top soccer talent from European clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, N'Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, and Neymar, who joined Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club. These investments reflect the country's commitment to raising the profile of soccer within its borders.

Source: https://gulfbusiness.com/