FIFA has awarded Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™️ a score of 419.8 out of 500, the highest ever in the history of FIFA World Cup™️ bidding, according to the Bid Evaluation Report released on November 30, 2024, by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The report comes less than two weeks before the official awarding of the 2030 and 2034 tournaments, scheduled for the extraordinary FIFA Congress on December 11, 2024, signaling strong international confidence in the Kingdom’s plans.
Context and Background
Saudi Arabia officially submitted its bid in July 2024 under the slogan “Growing. Together,” proposing a 48-team tournament hosted entirely within one country for the first time. The bid outlines matches across 15 stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, with an additional 10 host locations spread across the Kingdom. FIFA conducted an inspection visit in October, reviewing proposed host cities, stadiums, and facilities, which contributed to the record evaluation score.
Key Details
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their unwavering support. “Saudi Arabia is a footballing nation with a young population that truly love the game,” he said. “This score by FIFA simply reflects our commitment to grow the game, our rapid transformation and our desire to host the best possible tournament for the entire world to enjoy.” Yasser Al-Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™️ 2034 bid unit, emphasized the collaborative effort across multiple entities united by Vision 2030.
Implications and Impact
The record score positions Saudi Arabia as a leading global host for major sporting events, building on its track record of welcoming over 100 major events, including the FIFA Club World Cup™️ and the Formula 1™️ Grand Prix. The bid promises fans unique experiences across diverse cultural landscapes, from the Red Sea coast to the mountains of Abha. The tournament is expected to boost tourism, infrastructure, and international engagement, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification goals.
Vision 2030 Alignment
Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034™️ directly supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, including building a vibrant society, fostering athletic talent, contributing to economic growth, and improving quality of life for citizens and visitors. The bid also collaborates with the Saudi Green Initiative to ensure environmental sustainability. As the Kingdom continues its rapid modernization, this milestone underscores its commitment to showcasing progress and hosting the world’s largest sporting event in a spirit of unity and hospitality.
20 Questions
Q1. What score did Saudi Arabia’s bid receive from FIFA?
A1. Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™️ received 419.8 out of 500, the highest score ever recorded in FIFA World Cup™️ bidding history.
Q2. When was the Bid Evaluation Report announced?
A2. The report was announced on November 30, 2024, by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Q3. When will the official awarding of the 2034 World Cup take place?
A3. The official awarding is scheduled for the extraordinary FIFA Congress on December 11, 2024, where hosts for 2030 and 2034 will be confirmed.
Q4. What is the slogan of Saudi Arabia’s bid?
A4. The bid slogan is “Growing. Together,” reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to development and global partnership.
Q5. How many teams will the 2034 tournament feature?
A5. The 2034 tournament will be the first 48-team FIFA World Cup™️ hosted entirely in one country.
Q6. How many stadiums are proposed for the tournament?
A6. The bid proposes matches across 15 stadiums located in five host cities across Saudi Arabia.
Q7. What are the five host cities named in the bid?
A7. The five host cities are Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM.
Q8. How many additional host locations are included in the bid?
A8. The bid includes 10 other host locations across the Kingdom, offering modern training facilities and sports infrastructure.
Q9. What does the bid say about environmental sustainability?
A9. The bid collaborates with the Saudi Green Initiative to deliver an environmentally sustainable tournament edition.
Q10. Who is the Minister of Sport in Saudi Arabia?
A10. HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal is the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Q11. What did Prince Abdulaziz say about the score?
A11. He expressed gratitude to the leadership for support and said the score reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to grow the game and host the best possible tournament.
Q12. Who is the President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation?
A12. Yasser Al-Misehal is the President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Q13. What did Yasser Al-Misehal say about the bid?
A13. He stated the score results from leadership support and vision, and that Saudi Arabia is committed to delivering an extraordinary tournament experience.
Q14. Who is the Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™️ 2034 bid unit?
A14. Hammad Albalawi is the Head of the bid unit.
Q15. What did Hammad Albalawi say about the host cities?
A15. He said the five host cities offer diverse cultures and landscapes, with unique experiences for fans and excellent connectivity.
Q16. How does the bid align with Vision 2030?
A16. The bid supports Vision 2030 goals of building a vibrant society, fostering athletic talent, contributing to the economy, and improving quality of life.
Q17. What major events has Saudi Arabia hosted recently?
A17. Saudi Arabia has hosted over 100 major events, including the FIFA Club World Cup™️ and the Formula 1™️ Grand Prix.
Q18. When did Saudi Arabia officially submit its bid?
A18. Saudi Arabia submitted its bid in July 2024.
Q19. What was the purpose of FIFA’s inspection visit in October?
A19. FIFA visited proposed host cities, stadiums, and facilities to review the details of Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 tournament.
Q20. How does the bid benefit the Saudi people?
A20. The bid reflects the aspirations of the Saudi people and supports the leadership’s vision for a bright future, fostering national pride and global engagement.
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