Saudi Arabia launch bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

File image of Saudi Arabia followers supporting their group in the course of the Asian Cup Spherical of 16 match. The nation launched its formal bid marketing campaign, March 1, to host the 2034 World Cup
| Picture Credit score: AP

Saudi Arabia launched its marketing campaign to host the 2034 soccer World Cup on Friday, a bid that’s all however sure to succeed because of the absence of every other expressions of curiosity earlier than FIFA’s deadline late final 12 months.

With Morocco, Portugal and Spain set to share the internet hosting of the 2030 event, international governing physique FIFA restricted the 2034 contest to bidders from the Asian and Oceania confederations.

Saudi Arabia could be the second nation from the Gulf area to host the showpiece occasion, after neighbouring Qatar staged the 2022 finals.

The Saudi Arabian Soccer Federation (SAFF) stated its “Rising. Collectively.” World Cup marketing campaign would showcase the best way the nation was strengthening bonds with different international locations via sport.

The Saudis have invested closely in high-profile sports activities equivalent to soccer, Method One, boxing and golf over the previous couple of years, main critics to accuse the oil-rich kingdom of “sportswashing” its human rights document.

The nation denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its nationwide safety via its legal guidelines.

“Telling our soccer story to the world is of large significance,” SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal stated in a press release.

“We have made unprecedented progress in each the lads’s and ladies’s recreation, and our bid is an open invitation to the world to affix us on this thrilling journey.”

The subsequent step within the course of is the submission of the total bid paperwork to FIFA in July, with the appointment of hosts for each the 2030 and 2034 World Cups set to be rubber stamped at a FIFA Congress in the direction of the tip of the 12 months.

The subsequent World Cup will happen in america, Mexico and Canada in 2026.