Photo: Instagram.com/fifaworldcup
The 2034 Fifa World Cup is most likely coming to Saudi Arabia as Australia withdrew its interest hours before the bid deadline. This meant that the Saudi association was the only one to have presented a bid making its pathway toward hosting the tournament much easier.
On Tuesday, Fifa confirmed that it had received a declaration of interest from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in accordance with the bidding process and regulations. The governing body will now “conduct thorough bidding and evaluation processes” before the Fifa congress officially appoints the host nation towards the end of 2024.
Saudi Arabia announced its declaration of interest mere hours after Fifa announced the process for hosting the 2034 World Cup. The move remains in line with the aim of spurring growth in the sports sector under Vision 2030 with football being a major focus. Aggressive investments, strategic planning, and the arrival of international players such as Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi clubs means the Kingdom is already well on its way to dominating football.
“Hosting a Fifa World Cup in 2034 would help us achieve our dream of becoming a leading nation in world sport and would mark a significant milestone in the country’s transformation,” said Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal in a press statement. “Saudi Arabia is keen to introduce an unprecedented experience for everyone from around the world through its planned bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034.”
Yasser Al Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, stated, “We believe the time is right for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup. Our bid is driven by a love for the game and a desire to see it grow in every corner of the world. We want to celebrate our football culture and share our country with the world.”
“We are committed to hosting an exceptional event that celebrates the game, captivates players and fans, and inspires future generations. To be in a position to bid to host a FIFA World Cup is only possible with the full support of the Kingdom’s leadership and we thank them for their continued commitment to drive the country forward and opening up new opportunities.”
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