On Monday, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation officially announced its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup by sending a formal request to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Notably, this move comes after receiving support from 70 football associations worldwide within just 72 hours.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to bid for the 2034 edition of the global football extravaganza follows FIFA’s selection of a joint proposal from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to host the 2030 tournament.
The 2030 event will also include three matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, commemorating the centennial anniversary of the inaugural FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930.
This decision opened the door for Asia and Oceania to bid for the 2034 tournament.
In an official statement on their website, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to the official bidding process organized by FIFA.
They expressed their intent to organize an exceptional edition of the tournament that reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to football development while offering an enthusiastic football experience to players, officials, and fans from around the world.
Yasser bin Hassan Al-Mislail, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and a member of the FIFA Council, emphasized that their announcement last week regarding Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to host the 2034 World Cup marked the beginning of their efforts to turn the dream of hosting the tournament into reality.
He stated, “Our current focus is on presenting a comprehensive file that demonstrates the kingdom’s capabilities to organize this tournament and welcome football enthusiasts from all over the globe.”
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s statement highlighted that the kingdom has a vast experience and a successful track record in hosting major sporting events.
This includes hosting a wide range of prominent athletes from various sports, including football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian sports, esports, golf, and more.
Further details about Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup will be disclosed at a later date.
The bid represents a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of becoming a global hub for sports and entertainment, aligning with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify its economy and promote tourism and entertainment sectors.
