FIFA announced on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has been selected as the first-ever Arab country to host the World Cup in 2034, involving 48 teams.
FIFA also said that Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup received a technical evaluation score of 419.8 out of 500, the highest score the organization has ever awarded to a bid to host the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia officially submitted its World Cup bid in July, under the slogan “With Us, We Grow,” unveiling ambitious plans to host the most prestigious football tournament. The Kingdom proposed 15 stadiums across five host cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and Neom— with 10 additional venues throughout the country.
The Kingdom plans to offer exceptional facilities and accommodation options to meet the diverse needs of visitors while prioritizing the sustainability of the projects and environmental preservation.
A developed transport network will allow fans to easily and quickly reach stadiums, and travel procedures will be streamlined to ensure a comfortable and remarkable experience for all attendees.
After being officially announced as the host of the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to delivering an unparalleled and exceptional experience for the world’s largest sporting event.
The country will also contribute to human development, enhance skills, and promote cultural exchange. Hosting the 2034 World Cup will provide a significant opportunity to highlight Saudi Arabia’s progress since its 2016 launch of Vision 2030, along with the Kingdom’s continued achievements in sports, such as hosting Formula 1, Formula E, the Dakar Rally, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Italian Super Cup, among others. These events have played a key role in boosting tourism, with the number of local and international tourists surpassing 100 million in 2023.
In addition to hosting the World Cup, Saudi Arabia will organize “Expo 2030” and host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which is expected to create a significant number of temporary and permanent jobs.