360Saudi Arabia is confirmed as host of the 2034 World Cup
On 11 December 2024, FIFA's Congress confirmed Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the world's most watched sporting event. It will be the first men's World Cup hosted by Saudi Arabia, with matches planned in cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM.
FIFA, football's world governing body, announced in 2023 that the 2034 World Cup would be hosted by a country from Asia or Oceania. Saudi Arabia submitted the only bid.
At an online FIFA Congress on 11 December 2024, member associations confirmed Saudi Arabia as host. The same meeting confirmed Morocco, Portugal and Spain as hosts of the 2030 tournament.
The 2034 tournament is expected to feature 48 teams. Saudi Arabia's bid proposed 15 stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM. Several stadiums are new, including a planned stadium in Riyadh to host the opening match and the final.
Football is the Kingdom's most popular sport. The Saudi national team has played at several World Cups since 1994 and famously beat the eventual champions, Argentina, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Hosting the tournament is a key milestone of Vision 2030.
- 1994
- Saudi Arabia's first World Cup appearance
- 22 November 2022
- Saudi Arabia beats Argentina
- 11 December 2024
- FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 host
- 2034
- The FIFA World Cup comes to Saudi Arabia
Sources: FIFA · Saudi Arabian Football Federation · Saudi Press Agency.