Saudi Arabia Officially Named Host of 2034 FIFA World Cup
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been officially selected as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a historic decision announced during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress 2024, which was held virtually on Wednesday. The announcement was made by FIFA President Giovanni Infantino, marking a defining moment in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious journey to becoming a global sports hub.
In addition to confirming Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, the FIFA Congress also announced that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay set to host celebratory matches marking the centenary of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s selection as the sole host for the 2034 edition comes at a time when the FIFA World Cup is expanding its format to include 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while the 2030 World Cup will be the first to be held across six countries.
The announcement reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing stature in the global sporting arena and its leadership in hosting large-scale international events. The 2034 World Cup is expected to further solidify the Kingdom’s status as a premier destination for mega sporting events, in line with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia first announced its intention to bid for the 2034 World Cup on October 4, 2023, and formally submitted a letter to FIFA on October 9, 2023. The Kingdom’s bid was recently awarded a rating of 419.8 out of 500 by FIFA’s Bid Evaluation Report, marking the highest technical score ever given to a World Cup bid.
The decision is expected to have a transformative impact on Saudi Arabia’s sports infrastructure and contribute to the Kingdom’s efforts to boost tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange as part of its broader Vision 2030 reform program.
