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Saudi Arabia announces their next target in their bid for global relevance in sport.
Saudi Arabia has officially declared its intent to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup today after Morocco, Spain, and Portugal were announced as co-hosts of the 2030 edition of the tournament.
The Gulf country’s desire to host the biggest sporting event in the world is well known, given their recent investment.
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They have now thrown their hat in the ring for the right to host the 2024 edition, and given FIFA’s announcement that they will only be accepting bids from the AFC and OFC, Saudi Arabia will fancy its chances of a successful bid.
Saudi annouce 2034 World Cup bid
Hosting the Mundial was desired at a nearer date for Saudi Arabia, as they put in a joint bid alongside Greece and Egypt for the 2030 World Cup but lost out to the recently announced grand plan to host the tournament across six countries and three continents in celebration of the centenary edition of the World Cup.
The Saudi government announced their intention on X, and the minister of sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, put out the following statement:
“Hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2034 would help us achieve our dream of becoming a leading nation in world sport and would mark a significant milestone in the country’s transformation. As an emerging and welcoming home for all sports, we believe that hosting a FIFA World Cup is a natural next step in our football journey."
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Saudi investment in sport
The oil-rich nation has been gearing up for this moment for the past few years, given its increased involvement and investments in global sports.
More recently, the state’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired four clubs in the Sudi Professional League after buying Newcastle, and this has created a pipeline of top European stars towards the Middle Eastern nation.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others who have made their names in European football, now all ply their trade in the SPL.
Saudi Arabia will also host the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2027 Asia Cup.
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