Paris, France – August 1, 2024: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) unveiled details of Saudi Arabia's ambitious bid to host the largest-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup™ held in a single country. This announcement follows Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034™ official bid book submission at an official FIFA ceremony held in Paris, France.
The official bid slogan, titled ‘Growing. Together.’, has received full support from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The official bid book outlines Saudi Arabia’s extensive plans and infrastructure projects, reflecting the Kingdom's historic transformation and its plans to successfully stage one of the world's largest and most important sporting events.
On the occasion of the official bid book publication, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his appreciation to the leadership for their unlimited support of the Kingdom’s sports sector, and to the Crown Prince for his continuous guidance and significant empowerment over Saudi Arabia's official FIFA World Cup 2034™ bid.
"Together, we are working towards materializing Saudi Arabia's dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup™ into a tangible reality – as outlined within our official bid book," stated Prince Abdulaziz. "These plans will combine our rich football heritage with our deep passion for the game and will ensure Saudi Arabia’s success as the first nation to host a 48-team tournament in one country.”
Yasser Al-Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), described the submission of the formal bid book and the unveiling of the Kingdom's plans as a significant historical moment for Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the Kingdom's comprehensive plans to host the FIFA World Cup™ and expressed hope that these plans would excite football fans worldwide and inspire future generations.
An official SAFF delegation, led by Prince Abdulaziz, officially submitted the formal bid book at a FIFA ceremony held in Paris on July 29, 2024. This significant step underscores Saudi Arabia's strong desire to contribute to the development and growth of football, inviting sports fans from around the world to participate in writing the success story of this event.
Proposed Host Cities and Stadiums
The bid book outlines five proposed host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2034™: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM. These cities will feature 15 advanced stadiums, including 11 new, planned stadiums.
Riyadh: Home to eight stadiums, including the new King Salman Stadium, which will accommodate over 92,000 spectators and host the opening and final matches. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will feature a futuristic design with exterior facades covered in colored glass and LED screens.
Jeddah: The new Jeddah Central Development Stadium will be inspired by the area’s rich heritage, while the coastal King Abdullah Sports City Stadium will reflect the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
Al Khobar: The Aramco Stadium will feature a design inspired by the sea, symbolizing the ‘Dawwama’ whirlpools.
Abha: King Khalid University Stadium will undergo a temporary expansion to increase its capacity to over 45,000 spectators.
NEOM: The NEOM Stadium, situated within THE LINE more than 350 meters above ground, will run entirely on renewable energy and provide an unprecedented fan experience.
Accommodation and Training Facilities
Saudi Arabia will offer more than 230,000 rooms across the five host cities, meeting FIFA requirements and catering to VIPs, FIFA delegations, participating teams, media personnel, and fans. The hosting plan includes 132 training venues located across 15 cities, with 72 stadiums designated for Base Camp Training Sites.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Sites
The bid book outlines 10 proposed FIFA Fan Festival™ sites, including King Salman Park in Riyadh, the Jeddah Waterfront, Al Bihar square in Abha, the marina within "THE LINE" project in NEOM, and King Abdullah Park in Al Khobar. These sites will allow fans to watch matches and enjoy exceptional experiences throughout the tournament.
Should Saudi Arabia be granted the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™, it aims to host a tournament that will rank as the most-watched sporting event in history. The Kingdom is poised to provide an unforgettable experience for all, showcasing itself as a global hub for sports and athletes and serving as a bridge to connect the world.
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