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Football’s world governing body, FIFA, confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host country for the FIFA World Cup yesterday.
With the tournament still a decade away, here is all to know about the 2034 edition of largest sporting event on the planet.
Was Saudi Arabia being awarded the FIFA World Cup 2034 a surprise?
No. For the 2034 World Cup bid process, FIFA invoked its principle of continental rotation, therefore welcoming only bids from Asia or Oceania.
Why did Saudi Arabia bid for
the World Cup?
Securing the 2034 FIFA World Cup was a central part of the kingdom’s “Vision 2030” economic strategy, spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Vision 2030 has three primary themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation; the staging of a World Cup inside Saudi Arabia greatly accelerates the realisation of all three.
Is Saudi Arabia the first nation to stage a FIFA World Cup in the region?
Saudi Arabia will become the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament in 2034, 12 years after neighbours Qatar staged the 2022 edition.
How many nations will take part and where will the matches be played?
The FIFA World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia will see the first-ever 48-team tournament in a single host country. Matches will be held across 15 stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
What is unique about the 2034
tournament?
Saudi Arabia has submitted plans to build a football stadium set 350 metres (1,150 feet) above ground level in a highly ambitious, vast and futuristic construction project called Neom. FIFA has said the Saudi bid did not nominate specific dates for the World Cup, but they would collaborate with stakeholders to “determine the optimal timing” for the tournament given the country’s hot weather —Al Jazeera.
Online Reporter