RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a landmark initiative led by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). The bid aims to deliver a world-class tournament, drawing inspiration from the nation's ongoing social and economic transformation and its profound passion for football. Backed by Saudi Arabia's growing experience in hosting top-tier football events, the bid aligns with the country's plans to host the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, showcasing its commitment to global sports excellence. Reflecting on the bid, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman emphasized that Saudi Arabia's decision to vie for the 2034 FIFA World Cup signifies the nation's progress across all sectors. The Kingdom, rapidly emerging as a leading international events hub, boasts a rich cultural heritage, economic strength, and the ambition of its people. With sport playing a pivotal role in Vision 2030 —a comprehensive transformation plan— Saudi Arabia aims to contribute to economic growth and enhance the quality of life. The bid aspires to unite diverse cultures through football, providing an unparalleled experience that brings joy to fans worldwide. Saudi Arabia, renowned for hosting over 50 international events since 2018, has become a global destination for male and female athletes across football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, esports, and golf. Having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times, most recently in 2022, the Green Falcons achieved a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina in their group match. Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed the bid's significance, stating, "Hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would help us achieve our dream of becoming a leading nation in world sport and would mark a significant milestone in the country's transformation." Yasser Al Misehal, president of SAFF, highlighted the bid's motivation, saying, "We believe the time is right for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup. Our bid is driven by a love for the game and a desire to see it grow in every corner of the world." As the FIFA World Cup expands to a 48-team tournament from 2026 onwards, Saudi Arabia plans to host all matches within the Kingdom, streamlining logistics, optimizing scheduling, and offering unique fan experiences across host venues and cities. With over 70% of its population under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia, a young and vibrant nation, is home to one of Asia's strongest football leagues, the Saudi Pro League (SPL). The league, featuring top Saudi talent and international star players, welcomes fans from across the globe. SAFF's commitment to invest and grow football is evident through notable achievements in youth football, increased coaching resources, and substantial growth in registered male and female players. The women's game has seen remarkable progress, with the establishment of senior and U-17 national teams, professional leagues, and a school girls league. Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is a bold stride towards shaping the future of football, driven by the leadership's commitment to advancing the nation and creating new opportunities across the football ecosystem. In a quick reaction, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa expressed his full support to Saudi Arabia's intention to bid for the coveted hosting rights. Welcoming SAFF's announcement to bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, the AFC president said: "I am delighted to note that the SAFF have presented their intention to bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2034. "The entire Asian football family will stand united in support of Saudi Arabia's momentous initiative, and we are committed to working closely with the global football family to ensure its success." "Saudi Arabia will be hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 and this will be a historic first for them. "We have full confidence that the SAFF will deliver an extraordinary AFC Asian Cup, and carry this same belief into delivering an unforgettable FIFA World Cup, offering an excellent opportunity to football fans from across the world to experience a unique and spectacular celebration of the beautiful game." Following FIFA's decisions on Wednesday to revise the hosting mechanism of the FIFA World Cup, Asia will have the opportunity to host the football world's premier competition in 2034 for only the third time in its history, after the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Republic/Japan and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
