2034 World Cup: a tournament like never before 
The FIFA Congress recently announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup under the theme “Growing. Together.”
This makes the Kingdom the first and only country in the tournament’s history to organize the event with 48 teams from around the world.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia will be the first to solely host the World Cup’s expanded format, featuring 16 additional teams for the first time since Qatar 2022.
Saudi Arabia plans to host the World Cup in five major cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and NEOM. These locations will feature 15 state-of-the-art stadiums, including 11 new venues.
The stadiums will accommodate between 42,000 and 92,000 spectators, with Riyadh set to host both the opening and final matches of the tournament.
In addition to world-class venues, fans will enjoy the Kingdom’s diverse natural beauty, including stunning coastlines, deserts, and mountains, while exploring ancient wonders and modern landscapes.
Players and fans will experience many of the Kingdom’s diverse destinations, including NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea, and Diriyah.
Fans will also enjoy unique Saudi hospitality, with over 230,000 rooms available at various prices, as well as local cuisine. They will have the opportunity to explore impressive landmarks, such as UNESCO heritage sites such as Diriyah and Rijal Almaa.
Saudi Arabia has promised to deliver “a tournament of a lifetime,” writing a new chapter in World Cup history. The Kingdom’s bid was supported by 140 international football federations, and received the highest rating in the event’s history, scoring an impressive 419.8 out of 500.
Commenting on Saudi Arabia’s successful bid, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: “We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented version of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strength and capabilities to delight football fans around the world.”
The crown prince also announced the establishment of a Higher Commission for Hosting the 2034 World Cup, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering an exceptional version of the world’s most important football tournament.
Hosting the World Cup is expected to boost several economic sectors, including tourism, hotels, transportation, entertainment, and the food industry.
Saudi Arabia is one of the safest and fastest-growing economies in the world, having successfully hosted over 100 international events, including the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Hosting the World Cup is a strategic move that will significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s sports transformation and improve the Quality of Life Program, a key initiative of Saudi Vision 2030.
Football in Saudi Arabia has undergone tremendous transformation in recent years, supported by investments in stadiums and world-class academies, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and FIFA’s global requirements.
According to the statistics, the sports sector contributes SR21.6 billion ($5.76 billion) to the Saudi economy, with a target of SR82.5 billion by 2030.
The sector currently provides 22,000 direct job opportunities, with plans to create more than 165,000 jobs by 2030.
Experts expect that hosting the 2034 World Cup will contribute $9 billion to $14 billion to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product and generate 1.5 million new jobs.
• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
