Saudi Arabia Announces Bid to Host 2034 World Cup in Effort to Boost Sports Reputation
RIYADH – Saudi Arabia revealed its intention on Wednesday, Oct. 4, to make a bid to host the 2034 World Cup, marking another stride in its efforts to establish itself as a leading global sports powerhouse.
In a statement released by the Saudi Arabian football federation, the bid aims to deliver a world-class tournament that draws inspiration from the country’s ongoing social and economic transformation, as well as its deep-rooted passion for football.
This news comes just a year after neighboring Qatar held the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East, during which the Saudi national team surprised the world with a group stage defeat of eventual champions Argentina.
Following the success of that tournament, Saudi Arabia made headlines by signing Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the Saudi Pro League, attracting a wave of other international football stars enticed by lucrative salaries in the world’s largest crude oil exporter.
Sport plays a significant role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which seeks to reshape Saudi Arabia as a thriving tourism and business hub while transitioning away from relying solely on fossil fuels.
In the upcoming weeks, the kingdom will host high-profile events such as the final LIV Golf League tournament of the regular season, a boxing match featuring Anthony Joshua, and the Next Gen ATP Finals tennis tournament. Additionally, the FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled to take place in Riyadh this December.
However, Riyadh’s hefty investment in sporting events has prompted accusations of “sportswashing,” whereby sports are used as a distraction from the country’s oft-criticized human rights abuses.
Addressing these criticisms in a recent interview with Fox News, Prince Mohammed dismissed the claims, stating that he would continue “doing sportswashing” if it contributes to the growth of the Saudi economy.
