World Cup 2034.. An important step in the Kingdom’s journey towards economic diversification

Vision 2030 has paved the way for a new era of economic diversification through strategic investments in various key sectors, accelerating the pace of societal transformation, and building bridges of communication with the world, thus drawing more comprehensive and sustainable global aspirations. Hence, Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup comes as a real incentive for various economic sectors, in addition to being an important step in the journey of growth of the sports sector, and a point of strength for attracting foreign investments and attracting foreign capital, as well as presenting the Kingdom as a leading tourist destination.

The 2034 World Cup will certainly be the first edition to witness the participation of 48 teams, organized in one country, and this large number of teams will enhance the chances of reaping greater economic gains through the influx of delegations and fans from all over the world to the Kingdom. The presence of global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Riyad Mahrez in Saudi Arabia is a major supporter of the Kingdom’s chances of success in hosting the World Cup.

In the last edition of the tournament, Qatar reaped huge economic gains estimated at billions of dollars, and from this perspective, the economic returns are expected to be even greater in Saudi Arabia.

What most supports Saudi Arabia’s chances of organizing the World Cup is its growing experience in hosting world-class football events, and its ongoing plans to welcome fans from all over the world, as the Kingdom has previously succeeded in hosting global football events, including the 1989 FIFA World Youth Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, the Italian Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, in addition to holding the Super Clasico tournament between Argentina and Brazil in Riyadh and Jeddah, with each team winning a version.

In 2020, Saudi Arabia announced that it would host the famous Dakar Desert Rally on its diverse terrain for ten years, in addition to Formula E in Diriyah since 2018 and Formula 1 since 2021. Diriyah and Jeddah hosted two historic boxing matches. Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the 2023 World Martial Arts Games, the 2025 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena, Neom, and the 2034 Asian Games. According to the Saudi Football Federation website, fans will be able to easily attend multiple matches in one day, across five host cities, thanks to the diversity and abundance of accommodation options and an integrated transportation system, ensuring they enjoy an exciting football experience. Visitors during the tournament will have a unique opportunity to travel between cities and explore the diverse natural environments that the Kingdom abounds in, from mountain ranges to stunning beaches, to major cities, and much more. Fans also have a wide range of accommodation options, including more than 230,000 hotel units available at various prices, ranging from budget accommodation options to luxury accommodation options, where they can taste the most delicious local cuisine, traditional Saudi coffee and dates, in addition to exploring the stunning sand dunes and captivating mountains. During their stay, fans will also be able to explore the Kingdom’s most prominent landmarks and events, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to concerts and experiencing the unique Saudi hospitality, ensuring that their visit to the Kingdom will be an unforgettable and exceptional memory.

The Kingdom offers participating teams, fans and FIFA delegations the opportunity to benefit from an integrated transportation strategy, developed to ensure that everyone has an exceptional experience during the tournament. The five host cities have been strategically selected to ensure fans have the best possible travel experience and enhance the efficiency of transportation services.

The Kingdom’s transportation network offers a wide range of international travel options and domestic transportation services, including air, sea, land and a railway network led by the Riyadh Metro.

The Kingdom includes 16 international airports, in addition to extensive road, rail and public bus networks, allowing for quick and efficient movement between different regions.

It is worth noting that the Kingdom announced on October 4, 2023, its intention to run for hosting the 2034 World Cup, for the first time. The statement published by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation stated, “Under the leadership of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the 2034 World Cup aims to provide a world-class tournament, and will draw inspiration from the ongoing social and economic transformation in Saudi Arabia, and the deep passion for football in the country.” It is worth noting that the 2034 World Cup is the 25th FIFA World Cup tournament, which is expected to be held in the Kingdom. This tournament is the third to witness the participation of 48 teams instead of 32 in the tournament held in 2022 in the State of Qatar, as the FIFA Council unanimously decided on January 10, 2017 in Zurich to increase the number of participating teams in this tournament to 48 teams.