The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Host the 2034 World Cup Finals is an extension of what the Kingdom has embodied in the years leading up to the announcement of the bid, showcasing development in various fields, including the sports sector. This is evidenced by hosting more than one hundred global sporting events across forty different sports.
Saudi Arabia's announcement to bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup
On October 4, 2023, the Kingdom announced its intention to bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup, according to a comprehensive plan through which the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) seeks to harness all capabilities and resources to provide an unprecedented experience to delight football fans in this global event. It is supported by the endorsement of 130 football federations around the world.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, affirmed that the Kingdom's desire to host the 2034 World Cup reflects the comprehensive advancement it has achieved on all levels and fronts. This has made it a leading center and an international hub for hosting the largest and most significant global events across various fields, with its economic capabilities and great civilizational and cultural heritage. He stated that the intention to host reaffirms the clear and significant efforts made by the Kingdom in spreading messages of peace and love around the world, of which sports are an important aspect. Sports serve as a vital means for bringing together people of different races and diverse cultures, which the Kingdom has consistently strived to achieve across various fields, including the sports sector.
On July 29, 2024, the Crown Prince endorsed the Kingdom's bid file to host the 2034 World Cup after completing the details and requirements of the file, in preparation for its submission to FIFA in Paris, France, by the official Saudi delegation.
Official identity for the 2034 World Cup
On March 1, 2024, SAFF launched the official identity for the Kingdom's bid to host the FIFA 2034 World Cup, under the slogan "Growing Together." The visual identity and verbal slogan for the bid were unveiled, along with the official website (Saudi2034bid.com)
The bid's slogan embodies the journey of transformation and growth that the Kingdom is experiencing, representing one of the fastest-growing and most developed stories in the world of football. Additionally, it highlights the anticipated positive impact of hosting the world's largest sporting event, as it will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature forty-eight teams and be organized in a single country.
Reflection of the visual identity
The design of the visual identity in the bid file reflects the essence of the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and its young, vibrant society. The bid’s logo comprises several colored ribbons adorned with various symbols related to football. These ribbons are designed in the shape of the number '34,' symbolizing the year in which the Kingdom aspires to host the twenty-fifth edition of this global tournament. The visual identity also mimics the geographical map of the Kingdom and incorporates five different colors, representing the great diversity of Saudi society and the Kingdom’s enchanting landscapes. The colors include orange, symbolizing generosity and authenticity; green, reflecting the beauty of green oases; red, inspired by the coral reefs of the Red Sea; lavender, representing the colors of the lavender flower; and yellow, embodying the dreams and aspirations of the Saudi people toward a bright future. The bid file video, filmed in various provinces of the Kingdom and featuring current and former football stars, tells the story of the Saudi people's immense passion for football. It also showcases the Kingdom's cultural heritage, civilizational legacy, and natural landscapes.
Submission of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup
The Kingdom officially submitted its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on July 29, 2024, in Paris, France, at a ceremony organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The official delegation was led by the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki, and the President of SAFF, Yasser al-Misehal. Two children from the SAFF's regional training centers also participated in the event.
The submission of the bid file is one of the stages in the candidacy process that began with the Kingdom’s announcement of its intention to host the 2034 World Cup. This will be followed by official inspection visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation of the bid file. The official announcement of the host country for the 2034 World Cup is scheduled for December 11, 2024.
Cities and stadiums hosting the 2034 World Cup
On July 31, 2024, FIFA unveiled the details of the Kingdom's bid to host the largest edition of the World Cup to be organized in a single country. The bid includes the master plan for the FIFA World Cup that the Kingdom will host in five major cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, al-Khubar, Abha, and
Ten supporting cities for the host cities
Leveraging the Kingdom's geographical expanse and diverse regions, the hosting plan will extend to ten supporting cities: al-Bahah, Jazan, Taif, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, al-Ula, Umluj, Tabuk, Hail, al-Ahsa, and Buraydah. These cities will host some of the training camps for participating teams before and during the tournament. These cities are known for their tourist attractions, enabling the participating teams and attending fans to explore the Kingdom's cultural heritage and enjoy unique tourism experiences during the hosting period.
Hotel accommodations and training centers
The Saudi bid outlines more than 230,000 hotel rooms distributed across the host and supporting cities to accommodate VIPs, FIFA delegations, participating teams, media personnel, and fans of the 2034 World Cup. In addition to training centers for the teams, 132 training sites in fifteen cities are proposed to host the forty-eight participating teams and their accompanying delegations. This includes seventy-two stadiums designated for training camps, along with two dedicated training centers for referees.
Ten locations for fan festivals
The Saudi bid includes numerous details about ten different locations in the host cities to host the FIFA Fan Festival. FIFA will select one site in each host city from the proposed list. The suggested locations include King Salman Park in Riyadh, Jeddah Waterfront on the Red Sea, al-Bahar Square in Abha as part of the 'Abha Valley' project, the marina in the 'The Line' project in Neom, King Abdullah Park in al-Khubar, among other areas. These locations will enable fans to watch the matches and enjoy exceptional experiences in a festive atmosphere throughout the weeks of the tournament.
Supporting factors for Saudi Arabia's organization of an exceptional 2034 World Cup
1- A new global center for sports.
2- A country experiencing significant development in football.
3- A young and vibrant society.
4- A track record of hosting prominent global football events.
5- A single host country with a strategic location.
Pillars of Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup
The Kingdom’s bid includes three main pillars: "Together for Human Capacity Development," "Together for Football Development," and "Together for Building Bridges." The slogan "Growing Together" aims to highlight the connections between the Kingdom, its people, and the international football community on an exceptional journey, striving to build a better future for this sport
Saudi Arabia's 2034 FIFA World Cup bid file unit
The SAFF has established a special unit for the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup in accordance with the requirements of FIFA. This unit is responsible for meeting all FIFA requirements and presenting a bid file that reflects the advancements of Saudi sports. It also fulfills the confidence granted to the Kingdom by more than 130 football federations worldwide that have shown their support for the bid since the Kingdom announced its intention to bid.
Development of football in the Kingdom
Football in the Kingdom has witnessed significant development, with the number of male players increasing by 50 percent and female players by 86 percent since 2021. The number of coaches has risen from 750 in 2018 to more than 6,200 by 2024. Additionally, over eighteen regional training centers have been opened across various areas of the Kingdom for young men and women. The number of talent discovery programs has quadrupled to nineteen, and the total number of national teams has increased from nine to seventeen, as SAFF aims to form teams in all age categories. The Roshn Saudi Professional League is considered one of the strongest leagues in Asia and is globally competitive, with international stars from more than forty-five countries, making it a focal point of global attention. The Kingdom is also set to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals, along with several major international tournaments in various sports.
Global hosting
The Kingdom has solidified its status as a global sports hub by hosting more than one hundred international sporting events across forty different sports in the years leading up to the bid announcement. These events span various sports, including football, motorsports, golf, esports, tennis, equestrian, and others, establishing the Kingdom as a prominent global sports destination. Additionally, the Kingdom has formed football partnerships with over one hundred countries worldwide. The announcement of the intention to bid for hosting the tournament comes after six previous participations by the Saudi national team in the World Cup, the most recent being in 2022.
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