- Unopposed Bid Secures the Kingdom’s Growing Role in Global Sports
Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made on Wednesday during an online meeting of FIFA’s 211 member associations, where the unopposed bid was approved by acclamation.
The decision solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as a major player in global sports, following its successful bids to host the 2027 Asian Cup, the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and the 2034 Asian Games. The Kingdom has also expressed interest in hosting future global tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The confirmation comes alongside FIFA’s earlier decision to award the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup to six nations across three continents—Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay in South America; Spain and Portugal in Europe; and Morocco in Africa. This unique arrangement celebrates the centenary of the tournament, which began in Uruguay in 1930.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino led the virtual meeting, emphasizing the historic and symbolic significance of these host selections. Saudi Arabia’s uncontested bid for 2034 underscores the Kingdom’s rising influence in global sports, backed by substantial investments in infrastructure and international events.
This marks another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which includes leveraging sports to boost tourism and diversify its economy beyond oil.
