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Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia's Bid for World Cup 2034

Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia' Bid (AFC)
Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia' Bid (AFC)
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Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia's Bid for World Cup 2034

Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia' Bid (AFC)
Asian Football Confederation Welcomes Saudi Arabia' Bid (AFC)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) welcomed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, expressing its support for the Kingdom's momentous initiative.

The AFC President, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, expressed his delight that the SAFF has presented their intention to bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

"The AFC endorses the FIFA World Cup hosting decisions taken by the FIFA Council as we strongly believe it paves the way for a more equitable opportunity for all Confederations to bid for, and host, the prestigious FIFA World Cup – the pinnacle of world men's football," said the AFC President.

He noted that the Asian football family will stand united in support of Saudi Arabia's momentous initiative and is 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, he noted.

"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 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.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The bid intends to deliver a world-class tournament and will draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia's ongoing social and economic transformation and the country's deep-rooted passion for football.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that Saudi Arabia's desire to bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup reflects the country's progress in all sectors.

The Kingdom has quickly emerged as a leading hub and an international destination for hosting major events thanks to its rich cultural heritage, economic strength, and the ambition of its people.

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Arteta Rallies Arsenal to Believe in Champions League Glory Ahead of Semifinals Against PSG 

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London, on April 28, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). (AFP) 
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London, on April 28, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). (AFP) 
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Arteta Rallies Arsenal to Believe in Champions League Glory Ahead of Semifinals Against PSG 

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London, on April 28, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). (AFP) 
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London, on April 28, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). (AFP) 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is urging his players to believe they can win the Champions League for the first time because they have already beaten “the best opposition you can face in the competition.”

Defeating defending champion Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals — after victories home and away — has raised expectations that Arsenal can go all the way.

Arteta acknowledged everyone associated with Arsenal is feeling the weight of history heading into the semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain, starting with the first leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, and he wants his team to embrace that.

Asked whether Arsenal should be classed as the tournament favorite after its displays against Madrid, Arteta said they have “generated enthusiasm and possibilities no one probably expected.”

“But when you look at our history — and you go back to our history — we have never done it,” he said. “So there is so much to do. Hopefully if someone believes we can do it, it’s because of the performances and what the team is transmitting against big opposition.”

Arsenal lost the Champions League final to Barcelona in 2006 and in the semifinals to Manchester United in 2009 and hasn’t been back to the last four since.

“There’s a lot of people working at the club for many, many years and they’ve never been in this position,” Arteta said. “That tells you how unique and beautiful it is. It is the biggest competition, the European Cup, and we’ve never done it. We need to earn the right to be in that final.”

Arteta is taking inspiration from Arsenal reaching the Women’s Champions League final for the first time since 2007 after beating record eight-time champion Lyon 4-1 on Sunday.

“It’s incredible what they have done,” Arteta said. “To achieve it in the manner they have done it, they’ve shown the road, the pathway, how we can do it.”

In a rallying cry, Arteta urged fans to “bring your boots, your shorts, your T-shirts and let’s play every ball together” against PSG in the hope of recreating the atmosphere at the Emirates for the first leg against Madrid, which Arsenal won 3-0.

“If we want to do something special,” he said, “that place has to be something special that we haven’t seen.”