Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has received a rating of 419.8 out of 500, the highest ever given by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to a file submitted to host the global event, the federation said on Friday.
The announcement was made less than two weeks before the official awarding of the FIFA World Cup hosts for 2030 and 2034 at the extraordinary FIFA congress on December 11.
As part of the bidding process, FIFA conducted an inspection visit in October to review the details of Saudi Arabia’s bid, where officials visited proposed host cities, stadiums, and facilities across the tournament footprint.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the landmark event reflects the Kingdom’s support from the highest level of leadership. It represents the backing of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and aligns with the ambitious objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the Saudi people.
Commenting on the report, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: "I extend my deepest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their support and empowerment, which played a pivotal role in achieving this outstanding result."
"Saudi Arabia is a footballing nation with a young population that truly love the game. Young people are looking to a bright future. This score by FIFA simply reflects our commitment to grow the game, our rapid transformation and our desire to host the best possible tournament for the entire world to enjoy," he added.
"It is the result of our extensive efforts to present an exceptional bid and a testament to the collaboration between multiple entities across the Kingdom, driven by Vision 2030, which has enabled all sectors to unite behind a bid that represents the aspirations of the Kingdom’s leadership and the ambitions of the Saudi people," he remarked.
Saudi Arabia officially submitted its bid in July under the slogan "Growing. Together", unveiling its ambitious plans to host the world’s first 48-team FIFA World Cup to be held in one country. The bid proposes matches across 15 stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, in addition to 10 other host locations across the Kingdom.
President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal commented: "This exceptional score is the result of the leadership’s support and the guidance of the Crown Prince, whose vision has been the driving force behind the remarkable growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia."
"Through this bid, we are committed to delivering an extraordinary tournament experience for players, officials, and football fans worldwide. Football lives at the heart of Saudi culture, and we aim to provide an unforgettable experience that showcases the Kingdom’s rich heritage and the hospitality of its people," he stressed.
Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 bid unit Hammad Albalawi stated: "We take huge pride in this unprecedented score. It highlights the country’s collaborative efforts to present the highest technical standards throughout this bid."
"Our goal was to highlight how the significant progress we’ve already made in football can benefit the global game and demonstrate our commitment to deliver an exceptional experience for the world’s largest sporting event," he remarked.
"Our bid features five host cities with diverse cultures and landscapes, offering fans unique experiences to explore different regions of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the 10 other host locations will boost the experience for teams and fans with modern training facilities, advanced sports infrastructure, and excellent connectivity between sites," he stressed.
Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 represents a significant opportunity to showcase the ongoing progress the Kingdom has achieved since the launch of Vision 2030 by Crown Prince Mohammed. This vision has allowed the Kingdom to become a leader in hosting global sport, welcoming over 100 major events across various sports, including the FIFA Club World Cup and the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah.
The Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 bid supports the Vision 2030 goals of building a vibrant society, fostering athletic talent, contributing to the economy, and improving the quality of life for Saudi citizens and visitors alike. Additionally, the bid will continue to work collaboratively with the Saudi Green Initiative to deliver an environmentally sustainable and exceptional edition of the tournament.
