Saudi Football Federation Says Committed to FIFA’s Requirements for Hosting 2034 World Cup

Al-Misehal thanked more than 125 football federations from across the world for their support for the Saudi 2034 World Cup bid. Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Misehal thanked more than 125 football federations from across the world for their support for the Saudi 2034 World Cup bid. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Football Federation Says Committed to FIFA’s Requirements for Hosting 2034 World Cup

Al-Misehal thanked more than 125 football federations from across the world for their support for the Saudi 2034 World Cup bid. Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Misehal thanked more than 125 football federations from across the world for their support for the Saudi 2034 World Cup bid. Asharq Al-Awsat

President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal has underlined SAFF’s commitment to meet all the FIFA requirements to obtain the right for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Al-Misehal thanked more than 125 football federations from across the world for their support for the Saudi 2034 World Cup bid.

He expressed his appreciation for the confidence granted by various countries to Saudi Arabia’s bid of hosting the tournament, giving a boost to the Saudi aim to host a special edition of the championship, 11 years from now.

The Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup embodies the Saudis’ passion about football and the nation’s endeavor to further push forward the progress of the competition, Al-Misehal said.

All members of the Saudi football community are doing their best to achieve the dream of Saudis to see the World Cup being organized in the Kingdom for the first time, he affirmed.

This is an open invitation to all peoples of the world to learn about the Kingdom’s well-established and rich cultural heritage and to enjoy an unprecedented experience across the country, Al-Misehal added.



Morocco's Achraf Hakimi Named Top African Player in France League 

Football - Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Paris St Germain v Arsenal - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 7, 2025 Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Paris St Germain v Arsenal - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 7, 2025 Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
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Morocco's Achraf Hakimi Named Top African Player in France League 

Football - Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Paris St Germain v Arsenal - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 7, 2025 Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Paris St Germain v Arsenal - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 7, 2025 Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been voted the top African player in the French league after helping his club win a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title and reach the Champions League final.

The 26-year-old Moroccan won the Marc-Vivien Foe award ahead of Nice forward Evann Guessand, from Ivory Coast, and Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra, who plays for Strasbourg.

The prize is named after the late Foe, the popular Cameroon player and two-time African champion who collapsed and died on a field in France in 2003 while playing for his country.

Hakimi, regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, scored last week as PSG defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal.

He is the second defender to win the award after Congolese player Chancel Mbemba in 2023. He's also the fourth Moroccan, following Marouane Chamakh in 2009, Younès Belhanda in 2012 and Sofiane Boufal in 2016.

PSG is hoping for its first-ever treble this season. In addition to the Champions League final against Inter Milan on May 31, it faces Reims the week before in the French Cup final.

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won the honor in 2024.