Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, congratulated on Wednesday Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Saudi Arabia’s selection to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia will bring more teams and more fans meeting in one place than ever before when it welcomes 48 nations to compete across its five proposed host cities 10 years from now.
Crown Prince Mohammed underscored the Kingdom’s great determination to effectively develop football around the world and spread messages of peace and tolerance.
He noted Saudi Arabia’s massive capabilities and the potential of its people and their motivation, which led to its selection to host the landmark global event.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi congratulated King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed and the Saudi people on the Kingdom’s hosting of the World Cup.
The selection reflects Saudi Arabia’s prestigious international standing and demonstrates its exceptional capabilities in organizing major sports events, he noted.
"It showcases its strategic planning excellence and ambitious future vision for hosting key global events, relying on the capabilities of Saudi personnel across various sectors, as well as its developed infrastructure," he stated.
He expressed his confidence that the Kingdom will deliver an exceptional edition of the tournament that reflects its aspirations and highlights its rich culture and heritage. It will also be a golden opportunity to showcase authentic Arab values and strengthen the bonds between people across the world.
"It also represents a source of pride and honor for the citizens of the GCC states and boosts the region's status on both the regional and international stages," he added.
With a campaign entitled "Growing. Together." Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid book for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in July 2024, blueprinting its plan for hosting the tournament. The bid book unveiled the Kingdom’s ambitions to hold the tournament across five host cities – Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM – and in 15 state-of-the art stadiums.
The centerpiece of those will be the new King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, that will host the opening and final matches and will become home to the Saudi National Football Team.
Ten FIFA Fan Festival sites are proposed, including one at King Salman Park in Riyadh, built over 100,000 square meters, and another planned along the iconic Jeddah Waterfront.
The compact tournament concept will offer an exceptional experience for players, fans, and officials alike, with outstanding facilities and accommodation to suit every budget – all with short travel times via well-connected transport links.
