The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup, under a comprehensive plan aimed at utilizing all resources and capabilities to provide an extraordinary experience for football fans during this global event, following the significant successes achieved in hosting numerous international sports events.
On this occasion, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that "Saudi Arabia's desire to host the 2034 World Cup reflects the comprehensive progress we have, thanks to God, across all levels, making it a leading center and an international destination for hosting the largest and most important global events in various fields, supported by strong economic components and a rich cultural heritage."
He also pointed out that the intent to host underlines the clear and considerable efforts being made by the Kingdom in spreading messages of peace and love worldwide, where sports play a major role, serving as an important means for bringing together people of diverse races and cultures, which the Kingdom has continuously worked to achieve across various fields, including sports.
Sports are a fundamental contributor to economic growth and prosperity, and the Kingdom is keen to invest optimally in the sports sector through continuous efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This will reflect positively on the quality of life for citizens and residents and provide a remarkable experience for football fans worldwide in 2034.
Since 2018, the Kingdom has successfully hosted over 50 international sporting events across various sports, including football, motorsports, golf, esports, tennis, and equestrian events, establishing its status as one of the leading global sports destinations. This announcement to bid for the most significant tournament in the world of football comes after the Saudi national team’s six previous participations, the last being in 2022.
On this occasion, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Saudi Olympic Committee, said: "In recent years, Saudi Arabia has manifested its global status through what we witness in terms of renaissance and development across all domains, supported by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and direct interest from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has been reflected in the substantial qualitative leap in the sports sector."
He added, "This declaration represents a significant milestone in our journey as a nation passionate about football and a true embodiment of the success that the Kingdom is experiencing. It confirms our commitment to developing various sports, including football, as we seek to host the 2034 World Cup and provide an unprecedented experience for everyone worldwide. The success we have achieved in hosting major global sporting events in various competitions in the past, coupled with Saudi Arabia being awarded several continental and international championships in recent years, is a testament to the distinguished status our country has reached, making it an ideal home for organizing an exceptional edition of the World Cup."
On his part, Yasser bin Hassan Al-Mishehal, President of the Saudi Football Federation, explained that "the support provided to the sports sector in general and the Saudi Football Federation in particular, by the King and Crown Prince, alongside the continuous follow-up from the Minister of Sports, has brought Saudi football to international levels."
He continued, "The announcement of our intent to bid is a significant moment that aligns with the development we are experiencing in our great nation, reflecting the passion of the Saudi people for football and the Kingdom's pursuit of more progress and growth for this sport through hosting this exceptional event."
The Saudi league has become attractive to top football stars worldwide since Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Al-Nassr at the end of last year. In recent months, many stars have followed Ronaldo, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez joining Saudi teams, while Lionel Messi was heavily linked to a transfer before opting to go to the United States.
It is worth noting that the Kingdom will host the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 and the AFC Asian Cup 2027, along with several major global championships in various sports in the upcoming period.
