Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has formally introduced its intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a landmark initiative led by the Saudi Arabian Soccer Federation (SAFF).

The bid goals to ship a world-class event, drawing inspiration from the nation’s ongoing social and financial transformation and its profound ardour for soccer.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s rising expertise in internet hosting top-tier soccer occasions, the bid aligns with the nation’s plans to host the 2023 FIFA Membership World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, showcasing its dedication to world sports activities excellence.

Reflecting on the bid, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman emphasised that Saudi Arabia’s resolution to vie for the 2034 FIFA World Cup signifies the nation’s progress throughout all sectors.

The Kingdom, quickly rising as a number one worldwide occasions hub, boasts a wealthy cultural heritage, financial power, and the ambition of its folks.

With sport taking part in a pivotal position in Imaginative and prescient 2030 —a complete transformation plan— Saudi Arabia goals to contribute to financial development and improve the standard of life.

The bid aspires to unite numerous cultures via soccer, offering an unparalleled expertise that brings pleasure to followers worldwide.

Saudi Arabia, famend for internet hosting over 50 worldwide occasions since 2018, has change into a world vacation spot for female and male athletes throughout soccer, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, esports, and golf.

Having certified for the FIFA World Cup six occasions, most not too long ago in 2022, the Inexperienced Falcons achieved a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina of their group match.

Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed the bid’s significance, stating, “Internet hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would assist us obtain our dream of changing into a number one nation in world sport and would mark a major milestone within the nation’s transformation.”

Yasser Al Misehal, president of SAFF, highlighted the bid’s motivation, saying, “We imagine the time is true for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup. Our bid is pushed by a love for the sport and a want to see it develop in each nook of the world.”

Because the FIFA World Cup expands to a 48-team event from 2026 onwards, Saudi Arabia plans to host all matches inside the Kingdom, streamlining logistics, optimizing scheduling, and providing distinctive fan experiences throughout host venues and cities.

With over 70% of its inhabitants beneath the age of 35, Saudi Arabia, a younger and vibrant nation, is house to one in all Asia’s strongest soccer leagues, the Saudi Professional League (SPL).

The league, that includes high Saudi expertise and worldwide star gamers, welcomes followers from throughout the globe.

SAFF’s dedication to speculate and develop soccer is clear via notable achievements in youth soccer, elevated teaching assets, and substantial development in registered female and male gamers.

The ladies’s recreation has seen outstanding progress, with the institution of senior and U-17 nationwide groups, skilled leagues, and a faculty women league.

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is a daring stride in direction of shaping the way forward for soccer, pushed by the management’s dedication to advancing the nation and creating new alternatives throughout the soccer ecosystem.

In a fast response, the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa expressed his full help to Saudi Arabia’s intention to bid for the coveted internet hosting rights.

Welcoming SAFF’s announcement to bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, the AFC president stated: “I’m delighted to notice that the SAFF have introduced their intention to bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

“Your complete Asian soccer household will stand united in help of Saudi Arabia’s momentous initiative, and we’re dedicated to working carefully with the worldwide soccer household to make sure its success.”

“Saudi Arabia will likely be internet hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 and this will likely be a historic first for them.

“Now we have full confidence that the SAFF will ship a rare AFC Asian Cup, and carry this identical perception into delivering an unforgettable FIFA World Cup, providing a wonderful alternative to soccer followers from the world over to expertise a novel and spectacular celebration of the gorgeous recreation.”

Following FIFA’s choices on Wednesday to revise the internet hosting mechanism of the FIFA World Cup, Asia could have the chance to host the soccer world’s premier competitors in 2034 for under the third time in its historical past, after the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Republic/Japan and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.