The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup, following FIFA's announcement that the kingdom was the sole candidate. This bid comes two years after Qatar hosted the first World Cup in the Middle East.
Under the slogan "Growing. Together," the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) unveiled its bid logo, website, and a short film celebrating the passion and diversity of football in the country. Hammad Albalawi, head of the SAFF bid unit, emphasized that the campaign is driven by the hopes and dreams of the kingdom's 32 million people.
Saudi Arabia's bid aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to position the kingdom as a hub for tourism, business, and sports. The country has heavily invested in sports, including a strategic partnership with the ATP and investments in golf and football, including the acquisition of English Premier League club Newcastle United.
However, these investments have sparked criticism, with accusations that the kingdom is using sports to divert attention from its human rights record. Despite this, Saudi Arabia remains committed to its bid for the 2034 World Cup, with the support of more than 130 FIFA Member Associations from around the world.
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