*** Saudi Arabia Announced as FIFA World Cup 2034 Host | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Saudi Arabia Announced as FIFA World Cup 2034 Host

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The world football governing body, FIFA, has officially declared Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2034, marking a historic moment for the Kingdom as it becomes the second Middle Eastern country to stage the prestigious tournament after Qatar’s hosting in 2022.

This announcement came during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday, which also confirmed Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as the joint hosts for the 2030 World Cup, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting celebratory matches to honor the tournament’s centenary.

The 2034 World Cup will make history as the first edition featuring a 48-team format in a single host country. Matches will take place across 15 state-of-the-art stadiums in five Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and the futuristic city of Neom.

Riyadh’s upcoming King Salman Stadium, designed to accommodate 92,000 spectators, is anticipated to host the opening and final matches, promising a grand showcase for the global footballing event.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the tournament is seen as a milestone in its Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to diversify its economy and solidify its position as a global leader in sports and entertainment.