Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole bidder for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, positioning itself to host the tournament with plans for 15 stadiums spread across five major cities. Among these, the capital city, Riyadh, will feature eight venues, showcasing the country’s commitment to infrastructure development and sports. This announcement, made by state media on Wednesday, underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to highlight its growing influence in global sports and entertainment. The 48-team tournament is set to bring unprecedented attention to the region, promoting cultural exchange and tourism while emphasizing the nation’s readiness to host a world-class event.
Saudi Arabia, the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup, will host the 48-team tournament in fifteen stadiums across five cities, including eight in the capital, state media said on Wednesday. The announcement came days after the kingdom submitted its official bid to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Saudi Arabia plans to host “the largest-ever edition” of the tournament in a single country, according to the bid book, details of which were carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
According to state media, Saudi Arabia, the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, will hold the 48-team competition in fifteen stadiums spread out across five cities, with eight in the capital.
Saudi Arabia, which was the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, will organize the 48-team event in fifteen venues spread out among five different cities, with eight of them located in the capital, as reported by state media on Wednesday. Days after submitting its official bid to FIFA, the kingdom made the announcement. According to information from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabia is preparing to organize the tournament in a single country on a larger scale than ever before.
SPA said the bid book details five potential host cities for the event, consisting of Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, a $500 billion, innovative new city.
According to the agency, Saudi Arabia’s proposal for the 2034 World Cup consists of 15 modern stadiums, with 11 of them to be newly built. This ambitious infrastructure initiative aims to offer cutting-edge facilities for the tournament, showcasing the country’s dedication to updating its sports venues. The upcoming stadiums will improve the experience for both fans and athletes, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting a successful and unforgettable World Cup.
Riyadh is going to have eight stadiums, one of which is the new King Salman Stadium with a capacity of over 92,000 spectators. It will be where the opening and final matches of the tournament will take place, according to SPA.
Saudi Arabia was selected as the host for the 2034 World Cup by FIFA in October last year, after Qatar hosted the first World Cup in the Middle East at a cost of $220 billion, which included infrastructure expenses.
According to the bid document, the kingdom must have 14 all-seater stadiums that can accommodate a minimum of 40,000 people in order to host the 48-team World Cup.
The two stadiums are Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Riyadh’s historic King Fahd International Stadium, which is currently being renovated.
Infrastructure is the primary focus for the oil-rich kingdom, which is acquiring high-profile sports events to change its conservative image and attract foreign investment.
Saudi Arabia, a desert country with 32 million people, will have already held the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games before the start of the 2034 World Cup. The second occasion has caused environmentalists to express disapproval because of worries about sustainability and the environmental effects of holding winter games in a desert environment. These occurrences showcase the nation’s desire to establish itself as a worldwide sports center.
In 2034, Riyadh is set to host the Asian Games at the same time as the World Cup. This tournament lasting two weeks includes a greater variety of events than the Summer Olympics and draws a similar amount of athletes. Riyadh’s ability to handle two major international sports events at the same time showcases its global sports aspirations.
Prepare for the upcoming 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, showcasing 15 cutting-edge stadiums—witness the next generation of soccer! Keep yourself informed with Sports Monks!