Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup host: FIFA

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Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal celebrates the announcement on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup host: FIFA

  • The Saudi bid was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer.
The Saudi bid was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino.




Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal celebrates the announcement on Wednesday. (SPA)

“The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support.
The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games.
The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930.


Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

  • Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before finishing past Michel Preud’homme
  • Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has taken part in six World Cup tournaments, an Arab record it shares with Morocco and Tunisia. Here are our favorite Green Falcons moments from football’s grandest stage.

5. Saudi defeat Egypt to end winless streak (Russia 2018)

Saudi Arabia returned to the World Cup after an absence of 12 years at Russia 2018 and while there would be no progress from the group stage as there was in the Green Falcons’ debut at USA 1994, there was a first win since that tournament 24 years earlier.

Saudi suffered a painful 5-0 defeat against the hosts on the opening day of the tournament and followed that up with a narrow 1-0 loss against Uruguay. It meant that while the final Group A match against fellow Arab qualifiers Egypt was a dead rubber, pride was very much still at stake.

Mohamed Salah, after a stellar season for Liverpool, gave Egypt a 1-0 lead, but deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half, Salman Al-Faraj equalized from the penalty spot.

As the clock passed the 90-minute mark it looked like both teams would be heading home without a win, but Salem Al-Dawsari scored in the 95th minute to make it 2-1 and end the Green Falcon’s 15-match winless World Cup streak.

4. Almost a perfect send-off for Sami Al-Jaber (Germany 2006)

It was almost the ideal end for arguably Saudi Arabia’s greatest ever footballer.

The 2006 World Cup in Germany may not have ended up being too fondly remembered by Saudi fans but it did provide an early moment which hinted at a repeat of the team’s 1994 heroics.

The Green Falcons’ opening match against Tunisia at the Allianz Arena in Munich saw the North African team take the lead from Ziad Jaziri after only 23 minutes but the Saudis struck back with a fine finish by Yasser Al-Qahtani on 57 minutes.

Enter Al-Jaber. Wearing his favored No. 9 green shirt, he was introduced as a substitute after 82 minutes and within moments he was bearing down on Tunisian goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel with the goal at his mercy. Al-Jaber did not disappoint, scoring Saudi’s second before being mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.

Unfortunately for the team managed by Marcos Paqueta, Tunisia equalized in the dying seconds and Saudi went on to lose their next two matches against Ukraine and Spain.

But at least Al-Jaber’s fourth and last World Cup had ended like his first, with a goal for his beloved Saudi Arabia.

3. Al-Ghesheyan stunner gives Saudi a fleeting dream (US 1994)

Saudi Arabia had already created history by progressing from the group stages at the US World Cup in 1994 and their reward was a round of 16 clash with Sweden, who would end up being one of the teams of the tournament.

In the stifling heat of Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the Green Falcons, fresh off a stunning win over Belgium in their previous match, put on brave display but found themselves two goals down after an early header from Martin Dahlin and a strike from Kennet Andersson six minutes after the break.

Just as it looked like an exhausted team was only minutes from heading home, up popped substitute Fahad Al-Ghesheyan to breathe life into Saudi Arabia’s World Cup campaign and allow the fans to dream again.

The 21-year-old collected the ball inside the Swedish penalty area and unleashed a right-foot strike into the roof of the net five minutes from time to suddenly give Saudi hope of a stunning comeback.

But just two minutes later, Andersson scored his second to give Sweden a 3-1 win and eliminate the Falcons from the competition. They had become the first Arab nation to reach the last 16 in their first attempt and no team from the region would progress further until 2022.

2. Al-Owairan scores one of the World Cup’s greatest goals (USA 1994)

To Diego Maradona’s iconic solo goal against England in 1986 and Roberto Baggio’s international career-launching strike against Czechoslovakia in 1990, you can add Saeed Al-Owairan’s remarkable winner against Belgium in 1994.

Saudi Arabia’s debut at the World Cup had ended with a 2-1 loss to reigning European champions the Netherlands at the RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., but in their second Group F match, they managed an excellent 2-1 win over Morocco at the Giants Stadium in New York.

It meant that progress to the last 16 would depend on their result against Belgium, and the Green Falcons would go on to record one of their greatest ever results back at the RFK.

Only five minutes into the match, Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before the forward finished past stranded goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme.

The stunned Belgians had no answer to that goal in the next 85 minutes. Saudi Arabia, in their first World Cup, were heading to the last 16 and Al-Owairan had written his name alongside the World Cup greats.

1. Saudi claim greatest win over Messi’s Argentina (Qatar 2022)

There can be few debates about Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moment.

Few people would have given Herve Renard’s team much hope of a victory when they took on Lionel Messi and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022.

And sure enough it was the Argentine maestro who gave the South Americans the lead on 10 minutes from the penalty spot. But the expected Argentinian procession did not materialize. Instead, the Falcons, through gritty defending and smart counterattacks, slowly grew into the game.

The second half would be a revelation. First Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans in the stadium and around the world wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals.

Messi and his colleagues would go on to win the World Cup, but that day they had no answer to Saudi Arabia’s tigerish performance.

There would be no progress from the group stage for the Falcons, but the 2-1 scoreline gave them their most famous victory and they would end the tournament as the eventual world champions’ only conquerors.


Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez

Updated 11 December 2024
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Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez

  • Al-Ahli’s Algerian star was speaking at Saudi Arabian Football Federation gathering on the eve of FIFA’s announcement of the host nation

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli’s Algerian international forward Riyad Mahrez says hosting the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia would be a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for the world to experience the Kingdom’s hospitality.

The Saudi Pro League star was speaking at a Saudi Arabian Football Federation meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, where he met with aspiring players from regional training centers.

His comments come on the eve of FIFA’s announcement of the host country for the 2034 World Cup.

“Hosting the World Cup represents a wonderful opportunity for the world to witness the kindness and hospitality of the Saudi people,” Mahrez said.

The next two World Cup tournaments will be hosted by multiple nations. In 2026 it will be the US, Mexico and Canada, and in 2030 Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

“The World Cup (in Saudi Arabia) will bring the world together in one country,” Mahrez added. “Saudi Arabia is a large country capable of welcoming everyone and providing a wonderful experience.”

“I imagine that in 10 years it will be amazing for the whole world. I am very excited and looking forward to seeing all the future projects.”

The 33-year-old former Manchester City star also highlighted the nation’s football culture and natural beauty.

“I don’t think people realize how much passion there is for football in Saudi Arabia. There are many big clubs with a huge fan base,” he said. “You will not be able to imagine the beauty of Saudi Arabia until you come here and see for yourself.”


Karim Benzema endorses Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid during Jeddah visit

Updated 08 December 2024
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Karim Benzema endorses Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid during Jeddah visit

  • Superstar stresses importance of sport’s grassroots development

JEDDAH: French and Saudi Pro League superstar Karim Benzema expressed his confidence in Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 during a recent meeting with young players in Jeddah.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner met trainees from the Saudi Football Federation’s regional training centers at the weekend and emphasized the importance of grassroots development in building a competitive footballing generation.

Benzema, who joined Al-Ittihad in 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to elevate its football scene, praised the country’s transformation and extended an open invitation to the people of the world to experience its culture.

He said: “I advise you to visit Saudi Arabia. Anyone who has a preconceived idea should come for themselves. It is a wonderful country.”

The striker also paid tribute to the nation’s commitment to nurturing young footballing talent, saying: “Saudi football is developing, and I am confident that after 10 years Saudi Arabia will be fully prepared (for the World Cup).

“Training and development begin with the young players, and this is the most important thing — creating a generation that can reach the highest level.”

Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup and aims to become the second Middle Eastern country to host the tournament following the competition in Qatar in 2022.

The Kingdom has embarked on an ambitious sports development strategy under its Vision 2030 framework, investing heavily in domestic leagues, infrastructure, and youth programs.

The official announcement of the 2034 FIFA World Cup hosts is expected this month, with Saudi Arabia poised to host the world’s biggest footballing event.


Al-Hilal leave it late in spectacular win

Updated 08 December 2024
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Al-Hilal leave it late in spectacular win

  • The visitors ensured that Al-Hilal endured a frustrating evening at home
  • The champions and their fans were shocked in the seventh minute as Karim El Berkaoui put the visitors ahead

RIYADH: Al-Hilal defeated Al-Raed 3-2 on Saturday despite being a goal down with 88 minutes on the clock.
The late, late show in Riyadh means that Jorge Jesus and his men are just two points behind leaders Al-Ittihad as the Saudi Pro League takes a month’s break.
If thoughts had strayed to Real Madrid after the draw for the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday, the visitors ensured that Al-Hilal endured a frustrating evening at home, in a game that they dominated but were unable to make that superiority count — until the 114th minute.
The champions and their fans were shocked in the seventh minute as Karim El Berkaoui put the visitors ahead. It was a well-worked goal.
Mohammed Al-Dossari fired a low cross in from the right, and there was the Moroccan to get in front of Hassan Tambakti to steer the ball past Yassine Bounou. It was to be their last attempt on target for the next 70 minutes.
The hosts pushed for the equalizer but had to wait until just before the break to get back on level terms. It was a goal worth waiting for, however. Malcom looked up just outside the area and chipped over a perfect cross towards the far post for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. There was still work for the Serbian midfielder to do but his looping header was perfect, flying over the goalkeeper into the opposite top corner of the Al-Raed goal.
Al-Hilal continued to lay siege to the goal but just couldn’t find a way through and then, incredibly, Al-Raed restored their lead with 12 minutes remaining. Yahya Sunbul burst into the right side of the area and then shot across the diving Bounou to find the target and stun the home crowd once more.
Al-Hilal drew level once more with two minutes of normal time remaining thanks to Marcos Leonardo, who headed a Joao Cancelo cross emphatically home.
Still the hosts came forward and the winning goal came in the 114th minute, with defender Ali Al-Bulaihi sending the fans wild as he headed home a corner.
Earlier in the day, Gini Wijnaldum relieved the pressure on Steven Gerrard as the former Liverpool midfielder scored the decisive goal in Ettifaq’s 2-1 win, a first in 10 league games.
Al-Ahli beat Al-Taawoun 4-2 to move into fifth.


Al-Ittihad down Al-Nassr at the death to stay top of SPL table

Updated 07 December 2024
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Al-Ittihad down Al-Nassr at the death to stay top of SPL table

  • The 2-1 win leaves the Jeddah club five points clear of champions Hilal

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad dramatically defeated Al-Nassr 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. In the final round of games until the start of 2025, an injury-time winner from Steven Bergwijn made the difference to perhaps knock the losers out of the title race for good.

When the big games such as the Classico come around, the big names make a difference, and that is exactly what happened here. Karim Benzema broke the deadlock early in the second half but Cristiano Ronaldo quickly restored parity — the two stars each have 10 league goals for the season so far — for the visitors, and it looked as though that was it.

Yet just as the game was heading for a draw, Bergwijn grabbed the victory to put Al-Ittihad on to 36 points from 13 games. Al-Hilal will move to within two points of the leaders if they win on Saturday. Al-Nassr stay on 25 points and drop down into fourth as Al-Qadsia earlier won 3-0 at Al-Kholood to take third. 

In the first half, Al-Nassr had more of the ball but Al-Ittihad looked more dangerous.

Both teams were feeling each other out in the early stages with the first real attempt coming as Nassr’s Aymeric Laporte headed a free-kick from deep just over the bar in the 19th minute. Only two minutes later, Karim Benzema cut in from the left and let fly from the top corner of the area, but his shot bounced just wide of the opposite post.

Midway through the first half, the hosts had the ball in the net. Benzema caused problems in the box and squared the ball to Bergwijn who slid home from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

In the 27th minute, the Dutchman shot from just outside the area but Bento got down well to make the save. Seconds later, the goalkeeper was flying through the air to push a powerful Benzema effort just around the post.

Al-Nassr were struggling to fashion clear opportunities, but six minutes before the break Marcelo Brozovic picked up possession deep inside his own half and then picked out Sadio Mane with a fantastic through-ball. The Senegalese star took the ball past Predrag Rajovic but went too far wide, slipped and was then dispossessed. 

The match burst into life 10 minutes into the second half. Muhannad Al-Shantiqi ran down the right and provided the perfect low cross to the opposite side of the area where Benzema was waiting in space to pick his spot.

The lead lasted not much more than a minute — indeed, the home fans were still celebrating as Ronaldo became the first player to score against the league leaders in seven games. Angelo found space on the right byline and picked out the incoming Portuguese megastar with a smart pullback and Ronaldo made no mistake to score his 80th goal in total since signing for Al-Nassr almost two years ago.

With 10 minutes remaining, Mane had another chance to get on the scoresheet, but while the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star timed his run in the area to perfection, he pulled his shot just wide from close range. It is the kind of chance that must be taken against a defense such as Al-Ittihad’s. 

And, sure enough, the punishment came. In the 92nd minute, Bergwijn was allowed to run at the Al-Nassr backline and the Dutchman cut inside from the left edge of the area and then curled a shot past the diving Bento to send the stadium wild. It could end up being a very important goal in the title race.