Saudi Arabia has vowed to deliver “a tournament of a lifetime” following its selection as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2034™ during a special FIFA Congress session held virtually on Wednesday evening. The Kingdom is set to welcome 48 teams and an unprecedented number of fans, gathering in one place across five proposed host cities a decade from now.
A historic moment for the Kingdom
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, stated: “This is a historic moment for Saudi Arabia and a dream come true for all our 32 million people who simply love the game. The Kingdom is on a remarkable journey of transformation under Vision 2030 and today is another huge step forward that reflects and celebrates our progress while looking ahead to an even brighter future.”
Welcoming the world with open arms
“Already we look forward to welcoming the world, to sharing our beautiful country, our culture and our deep passion for the game with open arms and warm hearts. We look forward to delivering a FIFA World Cup 2034™ that creates new opportunities for all,” HRH Prince Abdulaziz further added.
“We are writing new history and this is only possible with the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the visionary leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today our journey forward continues, and we thank FIFA, its Member Associations and the international football family who have entrusted us to deliver one of the world’s greatest ever sporting events.”
Commitment to global football growth
Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) President Yasser Al Misehal remarked: “Football lives in our hearts so to host a FIFA World Cup™ is the ultimate honour and we have been working towards this for a very long time. We welcome the responsibility and opportunity to help grow the game globally for all and make a positive contribution on the world stage. We have taken huge strides in men’s and women’s football and across all of society and the FIFA World Cup 2034™ is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey ahead. We promise to put on a tournament of a lifetime that leaves a lasting positive impact for the future of football, for players, and for fans.”
A universal celebration of football
Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid team, said: “Football is a common language we share with the world, and this will be a tournament for the entire world to enjoy. We promise a tournament that will welcome all and give something for everyone. Beyond world-class stadiums, fans can look forward to stunning coasts, deserts and mountains while exploring ancient wonders and modern landscapes. It will be a tournament that is easy to get to and easy to get around as we want as many fans as possible from every corner of the world to share the magic of the FIFA World Cup™ with us.”
Detailed plans for hosting the tournament
With a campaign titled “Growing. Together,” Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid book for the 2034 FIFA World Cup™ in July 2024, outlining its plans for hosting the tournament. The bid book further highlighted the Kingdom’s ambition to hold the FIFA World Cup™ across five host cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM—with 15 state-of-the-art stadiums.
A premier venue for historic matches
The centerpiece will be the new King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, which will host both the opening match and the FIFA World Cup™ Final, serving as the home for the Saudi National Football Team.
Exciting fan experiences planned
Ten FIFA Fan Festival™ sites are proposed, including one at King Salman Park in Riyadh, covering over 100,000 square meters, and another along the iconic Jeddah Waterfront.
An exceptional experience awaits
Moreover, the compact tournament concept promises an exceptional experience for players, fans, and officials, featuring outstanding facilities and accommodations to fit every budget, all with short travel times via well-connected transport links. The average flight time between the five host cities is under two hours, and visitors to the Kingdom will also benefit from a streamlined immigration process.
Read more: Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA World Cup
Exploring Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage
Fans will have the opportunity to explore some of the Kingdom’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as enjoy unique architecture, delicious cuisine, a vibrant art scene, live music events, and ‘hafawah’—the renowned Saudi hospitality.
Establishing a global sports hub
Having hosted over 150 international sports events in recent years, including the FIFA Club World Cup™ in 2023 and the annual Formula 1® Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as a leading global sports hub, backed by a robust national infrastructure.
Boosting the tourism industry
The FIFA World Cup 2034™ is expected to significantly enhance the burgeoning tourism industry, which has seen exponential growth over the past eight years. In 2023, the number of domestic and international tourists exceeded 100 million, with the tourism and entertainment sectors rapidly developing across various destinations, including NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea, and Diriyah.
Vision 2030: A focus on sports and community growth
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is focusing on sports to drive economic growth and improve quality of life. Football is already reaping the benefits at all levels, with over 300,000 participants in Schools League (boys and girls), 23 regional youth training centers, and 19 national teams. Football will remain a key driver for community, educational, and economic development in the Kingdom.
