The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formally announced its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday, following FIFA’s declaration that the kingdom was the sole candidate for the tournament.
This bid comes two years after Qatar, its neighboring country, hosted the first World Cup in the Middle East. Under the slogan “Growing. Together,” the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) unveiled its bid logo, website, and a short film celebrating the passion and diversity of football in Saudi Arabia.
Hammad Albalawi, head of the SAFF bid unit, emphasized that the campaign is driven by the aspirations of the 32 million people in Saudi Arabia. He expressed the responsibility to present the best bid to FIFA and to make the country proud, acknowledging the support of over 130 Member Associations worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to position the kingdom as a hub for tourism, business, and sports. As part of this initiative, the kingdom has heavily invested in sports infrastructure and events.
Recently, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a strategic partnership with the ATP, signaling its commitment to tennis. Additionally, PIF has ventured into other sports sectors, including golf and football. Notably, it acquired English Premier League club Newcastle United and has attracted global football stars with lucrative contracts.
However, these investments have sparked criticism, with some accusing Saudi Arabia of using sports to divert attention from human rights issues. Despite this, Saudi Arabia remains determined in its bid to host the 2034 World Cup, having formally expressed its intention as soon as the bidding process was initiated.
