Following FIFA’s announcement to accept nominations for hosting the 2034 World Cup, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) swiftly released an official statement expressing its intention to participate, igniting the competition to secure the hosting rights for one of the most prestigious football tournaments.
As part of the centenary celebration, FIFA has officially announced that the 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with three matches of the tournament taking place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to put forward a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, as part of its efforts to establish itself as a prominent player in the global sports arena. The Kingdom has previously explored the idea of submitting a joint bid with Egypt and Greece, spanning three continents.
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In a statement, Yasser Almisehal, president of SAFF, expressed that the nomination for hosting the 2034 World Cup is a significant milestone in aligning with the progress and advancements taking place in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the enthusiasm of the Saudi people for football and emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting the game and fostering its continual development. Almisehal described the organization of this extraordinary event as a means to showcase the passion and dedication of the Saudi people while striving for further progress and growth in football.
Equitable hosting decisions
Bahrain’s Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), promptly embraced the invitation and wholeheartedly endorsed Saudi Arabia’s intention to submit a bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup.
Al Khalifa expressed in a statement that the AFC stands behind the decisions made by the FIFA Council regarding hosting rights. He emphasized the belief that these decisions create a more equitable environment for all continental federations to submit bids for hosting and organizing the highly significant World Cup. Al Khalifa further stressed the World Cup’s central role in global men’s football and its remarkable value.
The announcement also coincided with nearly a year since Qatar, the neighboring Gulf country, hosted the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. During this historic event, Saudi Arabia’s national team, known as the ‘Green Falcons,’ achieved a significant victory in the group stage against Argentina, who eventually went on to win the tournament.
Sporting achievements
Lately, Saudi has experienced a remarkable surge in its sporting achievements, both in various disciplines and specifically in football. This progress has inspired the nation to take on the responsibility of hosting one of the most significant events in the world of football.
As part of its future aspirations, Saudi has set hosting global and continental tournaments as its top priorities. The nation has already achieved notable success by securing the hosting rights for two major events.
Saudi made its entry into the football transfer market by attracting a substantial number of game stars to join the Pro League. The Kingdom’s efforts began with the signing of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, marking the start of an era of attracting top talent through lucrative salaries from the world’s largest crude oil exporter.
Major sporting events in Saudi
Under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sports plays a pivotal role in the reform agenda aimed at transforming the Kingdom. The agenda focuses on turning Saudi into a prominent tourism and business destination, while simultaneously diversifying the economy and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
In the upcoming weeks, Saudi is set to host two major sporting events. Firstly, the Kingdom will host the final tournament of the regular season for the Liv Golf. Additionally, in December, Saudi will host the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup.
Earlier this year, Saudi received confirmation to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Additionally, in 2022, the Kingdom successfully secured the rights to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
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