Saudi Arabia to Host World Cup
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Based on reports from ABC News, Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone in the kingdom's efforts to attract major sporting events.
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Saudi Arabia to Host 2034
The 2034 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as officially confirmed by FIFA on December 11, 2024
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. This decision came after Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder for the tournament, following FIFA's restriction of hosting eligibility to Asia and Oceania4
. The kingdom's successful bid is part of its broader campaign to attract major sports events and aligns with its ambitious Vision 2030 project1
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. This will mark several milestones in World Cup history, including being the third World Cup hosted in Asia and the second in the Middle East6
. The announcement was made alongside the confirmation of the 2030 World Cup hosts, which will be a unique collaboration between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay7
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.7 sources
Ambitious Stadium Plans
The 2034 World Cup infrastructure in Saudi Arabia will feature an impressive array of 15 stadiums spread across five cities. Riyadh, the capital, will boast eight stadiums, including a massive 92,000-seat venue for the opening and final matches. Jeddah will host four stadiums, while Abha, Al Khobar, and Neom will each have one stadium
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. Two particularly ambitious projects stand out:
- A stadium situated 350 meters above ground level in the futuristic city of Neom
- A venue perched atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh, featuring retractable LED screens
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.3 sources
Key Tournament Details
The expanded 2034 World Cup format will feature 48 participating teams competing in 104 matches across Saudi Arabia
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. All venues are required to have a minimum capacity of 40,000 seats2
. To accommodate this massive event, the kingdom plans to construct 11 new stadiums and add over 185,000 hotel rooms3
. Additionally, Saudi Arabia will undertake significant expansions of its airports and road networks to facilitate the influx of international visitors and ensure smooth transportation during the tournament3
.3 sources
FIFA Host Selection Controversy
The selection of Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host has sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding FIFA's bidding process and human rights concerns. FIFA's decision to limit eligible bidders to Asia and Oceania, coupled with an expedited 25-day expression of interest period, effectively paved the way for Saudi Arabia's unopposed bid
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. This move drew criticism from human rights organizations, with Amnesty International calling for FIFA to halt the process unless major human rights reforms were implemented2
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Critics argue that FIFA's approach lacked transparency and proper consideration of human rights issues. The Norwegian Football Federation notably refused to support the host selection, citing the absence of input from FIFA's member federations3
. Despite these concerns, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the selection, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia had met the necessary criteria based on a comprehensive risk analysis3
. However, human rights groups warn that hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread rights violations, including discrimination against fans, forced evictions of residents, and exploitation of migrant workers2
.3 sources
Related
Why did FIFA choose Saudi Arabia without a vote
What are the main criticisms against Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup
How did the other countries react to Saudi Arabia being chosen as the host
What human rights concerns are associated with Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup
How does FIFA justify its decision despite the controversy
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