Saudi Arabia made a significant announcement on Wednesday, revealing its intention to bid for the hosting rights of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to establish itself as a prominent global sports hub.
The bid aims to provide a world-class tournament and draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s ongoing societal and economic transformations, as well as the nation’s deep-rooted passion for football, according to a statement from the Saudi Arabian football federation.
This announcement comes approximately one year after neighboring Qatar successfully hosted the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East. During that tournament, the Saudi national team achieved a remarkable group stage victory over eventual champions Argentina.
FIFA, the international governing body of football, also issued a statement outlining its plans for the 2030 World Cup and inviting countries within the Asian Football Confederation to submit bids for the 2034 edition.
Following the Qatar World Cup, Saudi Arabia attracted global attention by signing Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the Saudi Pro League, one of several high-profile signings enticed by lucrative salaries in the world’s largest crude oil-exporting nation.
Sports play a significant role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which seeks to transform Saudi Arabia into a hub for tourism and business while diversifying the economy away from fossil fuels.
In the coming weeks, Saudi Arabia is set to host a range of major sporting events, including the final LIV Golf League tournament of the regular season, a boxing match featuring Anthony Joshua, and the Next Gen ATP Finals tennis tournament. Additionally, the FIFA Club World Cup will take place in December.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host for the 2027 Asian Cup, providing an opportunity for the country to enhance its football infrastructure by constructing new “world-class stadiums” in sustainable ways, according to Saudi Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal.
While Saudi Arabia had previously explored a joint World Cup bid with Egypt and Greece, this new bid is exclusively Saudi. It offers the prospect of fans facing maximum three-hour flight times between host cities and stadiums.
Saudi Arabia’s willingness to invest heavily in sporting events has led to accusations of “sportswashing,” where sports are used to divert attention from human rights concerns. However, in a recent interview, Prince Mohammed defended these efforts, stating that he would continue to promote sports if it benefits the Saudi economy.
If Saudi Arabia were to host the World Cup, it would undoubtedly place a spotlight on Crown Prince Mohammed, who has faced criticism for his approach to dissent and human rights issues. Hosting the World Cup would also bring scrutiny to the environmental impact of related construction projects.
Nonetheless, Riyadh aims to use the World Cup as an opportunity to showcase its natural attractions and dispel the perception that Saudi Arabia is solely a desert landscape. Saudi Football Federation President Misehal highlighted the country’s mountains, islands, and rich culture, emphasizing that state-of-the-art facilities would ensure an exceptional fan experience.
The Asian Football Confederation has expressed its support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, emphasizing its commitment to working with the global football community to ensure the bid’s success.
