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Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup: A Catalyst for Economic Transformation

Future designs of King Salman Stadium and its sports facilities, one of the largest sports stadiums in the world (Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh)
Future designs of King Salman Stadium and its sports facilities, one of the largest sports stadiums in the world (Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh)
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Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup: A Catalyst for Economic Transformation

Future designs of King Salman Stadium and its sports facilities, one of the largest sports stadiums in the world (Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh)
Future designs of King Salman Stadium and its sports facilities, one of the largest sports stadiums in the world (Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh)

 

As the official announcement approaches on December 11 for the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia, as this monumental sporting event is poised to bring about a transformative economic shift, aligning with the Kingdom’s vision of fostering a diversified and sustainable economy.
The tournament is expected to have a significant impact on Saudi Arabia’s local economy, driving foreign investments and revitalizing sectors such as tourism, transportation, and infrastructure. Additionally, it will serve as a catalyst for major projects like NEOM and Qiddiya, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global destination and supporting the goals of Vision 2030, which emphasizes economic diversification and the expansion of non-oil sectors.
On Saturday, FIFA announced that the Saudi bid to host the 2034 World Cup achieved a technical evaluation score of 419.8 out of 500, the highest score ever awarded in FIFA’s history for a World Cup bid. This milestone reflects Saudi Arabia’s leadership and ongoing transformation into a hub of innovation and development.
The Kingdom officially submitted its bid in July at a FIFA ceremony in Paris. Experts believe that hosting the World Cup will attract millions of visitors worldwide, boosting key sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and entertainment. Furthermore, it is expected to attract substantial foreign investments in large-scale projects, including sports infrastructure and urban development.
Major Projects
Economic policy expert Ahmed Al-Shehri told Asharq Al-Awsat that hosting the tournament will significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s tourism economy. The influx of millions of visitors is expected to boost revenue across sectors such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment. He also noted that major projects like the Red Sea Project and Qiddiya will benefit from infrastructure upgrades, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s status as a global destination for tourism and investment.
Al-Shehri added that the event will strengthen international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economy, encouraging foreign investors to channel capital into sectors such as sports, entertainment, and technology. He highlighted that infrastructure improvements, including transportation systems and sports facilities, will yield long-term benefits for the local economy and citizens.
Investment Partnerships
Economic analyst Rawan Bin Rubayan described hosting the World Cup as a historic opportunity with multifaceted benefits for the Saudi economy. Global events of this magnitude, she explained, enhance the Kingdom’s reputation as a leading investment and tourism destination while unlocking growth opportunities across various industries.
She highlighted that hosting the World Cup will increase Saudi Arabia’s appeal to international investors, particularly in sectors like hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and infrastructure. Constructing state-of-the-art stadiums and facilities will foster major investment partnerships and position Saudi Arabia among the world’s top organizers of international sporting events.
Bin Rubayan emphasized how the event complements Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and supports flagship projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project. These initiatives are expected to accommodate millions of visitors, ensuring their long-term sustainability through heightened global visibility and investment.
Boosting the Tourism Sector
Bin Rubayan pointed out that sectors such as tourism and hospitality—including hotels, restaurants, and local retail—are set to experience significant growth due to rising demand, which will stimulate the local economy and generate new job opportunities.
She also noted that infrastructure upgrades, including advanced road networks and mass transit systems, will leave a lasting legacy, benefiting future generations and improving overall quality of life, stressing that the event is expected to boost international confidence in the Saudi economy and create long-term strategic partnerships.
Bin Rubayan characterized the 2034 FIFA World Cup as a key driver of economic growth and a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward achieving Vision 2030. She added that the tournament promises to foster a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable economy while reinforcing the Kingdom’s status as a global powerhouse in sports, tourism, and innovation.

 

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Business

Oman and Yemen Sign Two Cooperation Agreements on Electricity Interconnection

Two cooperation agreements were signed on electricity interconnection between Oman and Yemen (Oman News Agency)
Two cooperation agreements were signed on electricity interconnection between Oman and Yemen (Oman News Agency)
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Oman and Yemen Sign Two Cooperation Agreements on Electricity Interconnection

Two cooperation agreements were signed on electricity interconnection between Oman and Yemen (Oman News Agency)
Two cooperation agreements were signed on electricity interconnection between Oman and Yemen (Oman News Agency)

Oman and Yemen signed two joint cooperation agreements on Sunday concerning an electricity interconnection project between the power grid in Oman's Dhofar Governorate and the power grid in Yemen's Al Mahrah Governorate, as part of the two countries' cooperation in the energy sector.

According to the Oman News Agency, the two agreements include supplying electricity to several areas in Al Mahrah, including Hawf and Shahan, as a first phase, through the electricity distribution network.

The planned loads are estimated at 3 megawatts for Hawf and 5 megawatts for Shahan, eventually reaching the city of Al Ghaydah with loads of up to 50 megawatts.

The agency said the project is part of efforts to support the stability and availability of electricity supplies in the beneficiary areas of Al Mahrah by connecting them to the electricity grid in Dhofar.

It added that the agreements aim to strengthen energy infrastructure, address electricity needs in the beneficiary areas, and promote stability, development, and the advancement of the social and commercial sectors.

According to the agency, the first agreement was signed on the Omani side by Ali Shammas, CEO of Nama Dhofar Services, and on the Yemeni side by Othman Owaid, Director General of the Public Electricity Corporation in Al Mahrah Governorate.

The second agreement was signed on the Omani side by Ahmed Al Abri, CEO of Dama Power and Water Procurement Company, while the Yemeni side was represented by engineer Mohsen Ali Balhaf, Director of the Yemeni Oil Company in Al Mahrah Governorate.

Business

Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability

FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability

FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

The seven OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on September 6, 2026, to review global market conditions and outlook, SPA reported.

The seven participating countries decided to maintain September 2026 required production for October 2026 as detailed in the table below.

The seven countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation.

The seven OPEC+ countries will continue to hold monthly meetings to review market conditions.

The next meeting will be held on October 4, 2026.

Business

South Korean Chips Head to Saudi Arabia: From Manufacturing to Computing

An AI chip with the South Korean flag (Reuters
An AI chip with the South Korean flag (Reuters
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South Korean Chips Head to Saudi Arabia: From Manufacturing to Computing

An AI chip with the South Korean flag (Reuters
An AI chip with the South Korean flag (Reuters

Chips are no longer merely electronic components hidden inside devices. They have become the foundation of the artificial intelligence economy, as global competition shifts from developing models to having the capacity to run them efficiently and at scale.

As demand for computing chips rises, the semiconductor industry is converging with energy, data centers, and digital infrastructure, creating a new map of technological power that extends beyond countries that manufacture chips to countries capable of hosting and operating the computing power they require.

In this race, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a growing destination for Asian chip and AI companies, driven by the availability of energy, the rapid expansion of data centers, and its ambition to build a sovereign AI ecosystem. South Korea, meanwhile, is moving to strengthen its position at the heart of the value chain by increasing government spending on chips, AI, and the infrastructure that supports both.

The decision by South Korean AI chipmaker Rebellions to establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh embodies this new intersection between those who make chips and those who have the capacity to run them. Its CEO, Sunghyun Park, told Asharq Al-Awsat that three main factors make Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for the company: high levels of energy availability, a commitment to developing AI infrastructure, and strong ambitions in sovereign AI.

Park added that the combination of these factors makes Riyadh a suitable location for Rebellions to expand its AI chip business.

The Korean company's move comes as Saudi Arabia works to expand its ability to accommodate growing demand for computing, alongside rising investment in data centers and AI projects.

Sunghyun Park, CEO of South Korean AI chipmaker Rebellions (Asharq Al-Awsat)

821 Trillion Won in Spending in 2027

South Korea proposed this week the largest government budget in its history, worth 821 trillion won ($596.92 billion) for 2027, an increase of 12.8 percent from the current year and the largest annual increase ever. A significant portion of the spending will be directed toward AI, semiconductors, and related infrastructure.

Seoul is betting on increased public spending to maintain its position in the semiconductor industry, one of the most important drivers of its economy, as global demand rises for chips used in AI applications.

The proposed budget includes 21.3 trillion won for industrial water systems, electricity grids, and logistics services needed to support the next generation of semiconductor infrastructure, along with 2.6 trillion won in a dedicated semiconductor budget.

South Korea is benefiting from the global surge in demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is used in AI systems, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix reporting strong profits driven by this demand.

"Sovereign AI" Connects Riyadh and Seoul

Park believes that the sovereign dimension of AI has become an important factor in countries' decisions about the technologies they use, particularly as some data and applications are tied to sensitive sectors. He said the need for AI technologies that can be managed locally is linked, among other things, to "national security," noting that sensitive information, such as nuclear energy or weapons programs, requires governments to control how AI is used, set its boundaries, and operate it entirely within the country.

This reflects one of the major trends in the AI market. Governments and companies are no longer focused solely on gaining access to advanced models. They are also concerned with where data is stored, where models are run, and who owns the infrastructure on which they depend.

Aramco and HUMAIN in the Chip Supply Chain

Rebellions already has an investment connection to Saudi Arabia. Park said Aramco invested in the company about two years ago, while Rebellions is in ongoing discussions with HUMAIN about strengthening supply chains for AI infrastructure technologies.

He said HUMAIN has become one of the most important organizations operating in AI in Saudi Arabia and globally, and that cooperation with the company could have a positive impact on the region's AI sector.

These moves come as Saudi Arabia continues to expand its digital infrastructure, including data centers. This provides companies specializing in chips and computing with a potential regional market that goes beyond simply selling components to participating in the construction of the AI ecosystem itself.

Competition Is Shifting From Chip Speed to Operating Cost

Rebellions does not believe that competition in the AI chip market will be decided solely by a chip's ability to process more tokens per second. Instead, it will increasingly come down to the long-term cost of running AI.

Park said the company is focused on developing technologies that deliver "higher AI performance at a lower economic cost," explaining that an important metric for customers is not simply the number of tokens that can be processed per second, but also "cost per token."

The company's model focuses heavily on inference rather than distributing its efforts equally between inference and model training.

Park explained that inference is gradually becoming commoditized, meaning companies and users will increasingly care about obtaining good results at a reasonable cost, regardless of the specific technology used behind the scenes.

Energy Becomes Part of the AI Equation

This factor is becoming particularly important as energy consumption associated with data centers rises. The cost of electricity and chip efficiency have become part of the economic calculation involved in expanding AI use.

This is where the calculations of Riyadh and Seoul meet from two different angles. South Korea is investing in chips, electricity grids, and the industrial infrastructure needed to maintain its position in the value chain. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is building the energy supply, infrastructure, and data centers needed to absorb the next wave of computing.

The AI race between countries, therefore, is no longer only about models and software. It is about who makes the chips, who owns the data centers, who can provide the energy, and who can deliver all of it at the lowest possible cost.