Saudi Arabia confirmed as host of ‘2034 FIFA World Cup’
Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone in the kingdom’s growing prominence on the global sports stage. The announcement by FIFA came on Wednesday, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to solidify its place as a key player in world sport.
Despite the logistical challenges ahead—Saudi Arabia currently has only two stadiums meeting the required 40,000-seat capacity out of the 14 needed—the country’s successful bid reflects its ability to influence and invest in large-scale events. Concerns about hosting the tournament during the northern hemisphere’s summer heat may push the event later in the year, as was the case with Qatar’s 2022 World Cup. Ramadan, which falls in December that year, adds another layer of complexity to scheduling.
Also Read:
In the same announcement, FIFA confirmed that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will jointly host the 2030 World Cup. This tournament, marking the centenary of the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, will also feature matches in South America. A game each will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay as part of the centenary celebrations, making it an unprecedented multi-continental event.
The 2030 World Cup bid faced little competition, with Morocco, Spain, and Portugal emerging as the sole contenders. Other potential bids, including a joint British-Irish proposal and a South Korean-led initiative, were abandoned. Morocco, after five unsuccessful attempts to secure hosting rights, will become the second African nation to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.
Spain is set to take center stage for the 2030 tournament, offering 11 of the proposed 20 stadiums. Potential venues for the final include Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which is nearing the completion of its extensive renovation.
Also watch: Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 message
Morocco plans to unveil the Hassan II Stadium, a massive venue between Casablanca and Rabat, aiming to be the largest stadium in the world with a capacity of 115,000. Portugal will contribute three venues, with two in Lisbon and one in Porto, and hopes to host a semi-final.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
