Crown Prince Endorses Saudi Arabia’s Final Preparations ahead of Bid Books Submission for FIFA World Cup 2034

Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Endorses Saudi Arabia’s Final Preparations ahead of Bid Books Submission for FIFA World Cup 2034

Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 tournament.
The endorsement comes following the conclusion of the bid’s detailed requirements ahead of the bid book submission to FIFA in the French capital, Paris, through a delegation led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Yasser Al Misehal.
Marking this significant milestone, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for their support and guidance offered to the vital sport sector. Thanks to this support, the Kingdom has become a global home of sports during a time when the country is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation, he added.
“We are committed to hosting an exceptional edition of the FIFA World CupTM set to feature 48 teams in a single country for the first time in the history of the competition. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s direct supervision of Saudi Arabia's ambitions of hosting this iconic global football event showcases his commitment to elevating the future of Saudi sport, in line with Vision 2030, and help nurture a generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest global stage”, said Prince Faisla.
“We will continue to showcase to the world our nation’s transformation across all sectors, what our youthful and vibrant population can offer and our massive capabilities of hosting the world’s biggest sporting events”, he added.
The official bid book submission will take place in a ceremony held by FIFA in Paris. The Saudi delegation will be led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud and Yasser Al Misehal, alongside two children from the SAFF youth regional training centers.
The participation of the two children came as part of an initiative by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, symbolizing the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s young generation to host the world’s greatest football event.
The official bid book forms part of the FIFA World Cup 2034TM bid journey, which commenced on 4 October 2023 when Saudi Arabia, via the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, announced its intention to bid. It was then followed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation submitting its official letter of intent to FIFA, before the bid brand identity was revealed under the slogan ‘Growing. Together.’
The bid period is set to conclude in December later this year when FIFA officially announces the host nation of the FIFA World Cup 2034 TM during a General Assembly meeting.



Top-seeds Sabalenka and Zverev Advance in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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Top-seeds Sabalenka and Zverev Advance in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka rallied to defeat former doubles partner Elise Mertens in three sets and advance to the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Sunday.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev scraped past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after requiring tiebreakers in the final two sets of their match, while defending men's champion Andrey Rublev lost in three sets to Alexander Bublik.
Sabalenka got off to a poor start against the 26th-ranked Mertens, but picked up the pace to comfortably close out the match at the Caja Magica center court, The Associated Press reported.
The two-time champion in Madrid won 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to keep alive her hopes of reaching the final for the third straight time. Sabalenka won the title in the Spanish capital in 2021 and 2023, and finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek last year.
“I think it’s one of those days where I didn’t feel my best and I got super emotional in that beginning of the first set and put myself in a tough situation," Sabalenka said. "I’m really happy that I was able to bring such a high level in the second and the third set, especially against someone like Elise, if you give her any chance, she’s going to be there fighting and putting you under pressure, so really happy with the way I turned around this game.”
It was Sabalenka's ninth consecutive victory over Mertens, her doubles partner while winning the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open. Sabalenka had won 14 consecutive sets against the Belgian.
“She’s such a great player, it doesn’t matter the score between us, it’s always a great battle," Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka will next face either Rebeka Masarova or Peyton Stearns.
Zverev struggled early but recovered to fend off a gritty performance by local favorite Davidovich Fokina in the third round. The second-ranked German needed tiebreakers to outlast the Spaniard 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0).
Zverev, seeking his third Madrid Open title, has won seven matches in a row and is coming off a title-run in Munich.
“The first set wasn’t my best tennis but it is sport and it can change quickly,” Zverev said. “I was down a set and a break and I had to fight. I am very happy with the win. Alejandro is playing unbelievable tennis, the best of his life, so I am happy to be through.”
Zverev will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Francisco Comesaña.
Defending champion upset Defending champion Rublev was eliminated after a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 loss to Bublik.
It was the 10th top-10 win for the 75th-ranked Bublik, who made it to the fourth round in Madrid for the fourth time.
Rublev did not have to play in the previous round because Gael Monfils withdrew with an illness.
The eighth-ranked Rublev beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in last year's final in the Spanish capital.
Bublik will next face Ben Shelton or Miami champion Jakub Mensik in the round of 16.
Brandon Nakashima got past Flavio Cobolli to reach the fourth round of a Master 1000 tournament for the fifth time. The 32nd-ranked American will next meet either Daniil Medvedev or Juan Manuel Cerundolo.