Securing the 2034 Fifa World Cup was a central part of the kingdom’s “Vision 2030” economic strategy (Photo: Reuters)
FIFA’s announcement last month that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 World Cup may not have come as a surprise, as it became the sole contender after Australia pulled out of the race two years ago. But there were cheers all round in the kingdom, which sees the beautiful game strengthening its goal of becoming a global powerhouse. Saudia, the country’s flag carrier, celebrated by treating passengers on board more than 30 flights to special surprises as pilots shared the exciting news up in the air.
It will be the third time Asia is hosting the World Cup, after South Korea and Japan did it together in 2002, and Qatar three years ago. Morocco, Spain and Portugal will be the joint hosts for 2030.
Saudi 34 will see the first-ever 48-team tournament in a single host country, with matches going on across 15 stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha and Neom. The 25th edition of the games will see action in a stadium 350m above ground level in yet-to-be-built Neom, a futuristic city, reports say.
No date has been fixed for the kick-off but “the optimal timing” will be determined with stakeholders, taking into account the country’s desert climate, as happened with the Qatar edition. Thirty-two national teams competed between Nov 20 and Dec 18, 2022, and Argentina beat France to lift the coveted trophy.
Football fever is contagious but not everyone is enamoured of Saudi 34. Rights groups point out Saudi Arabia’s tight fist on freedom of expression and heavy punishment for those critical of conservative authority. There are allegations of torture and restrictions on women in the kingdom, which enforces a male guardianship system.
This article first appeared on Jan 13, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
