FIFA poised to name Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host
FIFA is set to officially announce Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 men’s World Cup during a virtual meeting on Wednesday.
This decision will make Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern country to host the prestigious tournament, following Qatar’s 2022 edition.
Saudi Arabia formally submitted its bid on October 9, 2023, after announcing its intent five days earlier. The country’s campaign slogan, “Growing. Together,” outlined plans for a groundbreaking single-nation tournament featuring 48 teams. Matches will be hosted across 15 stadiums in five key cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, along with 10 additional venues nationwide.
The capital city, Riyadh, will serve as the focal point, hosting the opening and final matches at the yet-to-be-completed King Salman Stadium, designed to accommodate over 92,000 spectators.
The King Fahd Sports City Stadium, renowned for its unique tent-inspired fabric roof, is also among the proposed venues with a seating capacity of approximately 70,000.
A FIFA Bid Evaluation Report awarded Saudi Arabia’s proposal an unprecedented score of 419.8 out of 500, the highest technical rating ever recorded. This reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering a world-class tournament.
The hosting rights further solidify Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports, complementing its selection as the host for the 2027 Asian Football Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM.
