Riyadh : The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced today that Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. The announcement was made during FIFA’s extraordinary general assembly meeting, held virtually.
Saudi Arabia will become the first country in history to solely host the largest edition of the World Cup, featuring 48 national teams competing across five cities. This follows FIFA’s earlier approval of the expanded tournament format.
The Kingdom formally submitted its bid for the tournament in July under the slogan ” Growing. Together” outlining ambitious plans to host matches across 15 stadiums in five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, with an additional 10 hosting sites across the country.
The Kingdom aims to provide exceptional experiences for players and fans, offering world class facilities and diverse accommodation options to meet the needs of all visitors. Emphasising sustainability and environmental preservation, Saudi Arabia has committed to developing eco-friendly infrastructure. A modern transportation network will ensure quick and easy access to stadiums, complemented by streamlined travel procedures to guarantee a seamless experience for visitors.
Following the official announcement, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to delivering an unprecedented World Cup experience, contributing to human development, cultural exchange, and sustainability. The Kingdom aims to maximise the sporting and national legacy of hosting the event while considering its environmental impact.
The World Cup 2034 offers Saudi Arabia an opportunity to highlight its progress since the launch of Vision 2030 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also builds on the Kingdom’s achievements in hosting major global sports events, including Formula 1, Formula E, the Dakar Rally, and the Spanish and Italian Super Cups. These events have driven significant growth in tourism, with more than 100 million domestic and international tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2023.
