Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the Middle Eastern nation as it embarks on an ambitious journey to deliver a state-of-the-art tournament experience. FIFA’s bid evaluation gave Saudi Arabia a strong technical score of 4.2 out of 5, surpassing the 4.0 score of the 2026 joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico — even though many of Saudi Arabia’s proposed venues are still in development.
Central to Saudi Arabia’s bid are eight planned stadiums, including the monumental King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, which will boast a seating capacity of 92,760. This venue and others are part of a broader strategy to elevate the country’s infrastructure, with completion timelines set for 2032. FIFA’s report highlighted the innovative designs, such as the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium within the Qiddiya entertainment district and the futuristic NEOM Stadium located in “The Line,” a groundbreaking urban development.
These projects align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, a transformative agenda aimed at reducing reliance on oil by diversifying its economy and investing in tourism, sports, and infrastructure. However, FIFA noted that these large-scale projects come with medium risk levels due to their complexity and the need for careful monitoring throughout the construction process.
Saudi Arabia has not finalized a timeline for the 2034 World Cup, leaving open the possibility of a winter schedule to mitigate the challenges of hosting in the desert climate. FIFA successfully implemented a similar approach for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, emphasized the collaboration across multiple sectors that brought the bid to fruition. “This score reflects our unwavering commitment to the growth of football and our nation’s rapid transformation,” he said.
With Saudi Arabia as the sole contender for 2034 and the Morocco-Spain-Portugal consortium running unopposed for 2030, both bids are expected to receive final approval during the FIFA Congress next month.
