RIYADH: FIFA on Wednesday revealed details of Saudi Arabia's bid book to host the biggest edition of the FIFA World Cup to be held in a single country.
The Kingdom's official FIFA World Cup 2034 bid book was unveiled at a FIFA ceremony in Paris on Monday.
The official bid slogan, titled “Growing Together,” has received the full support of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It outlines Saudi Arabia's comprehensive planning and infrastructure projects, reflecting the kingdom's historic transformation.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: “Together we are working towards turning Saudi Arabia's dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup into a tangible reality – as outlined in our official dialect book.”
He praised the Saudi leadership for their unstinting support to the kingdom's sports sector and the Crown Prince for his continued guidance and critical empowerment in Saudi Arabia's official FIFA World Cup 2034 bid.
The official bid book provides the state's plan to host the FIFA World Cup, one of the world's biggest and most important sporting events.
Speaking at the launch of the official bid book, Prince Abdulaziz said: “These plans will combine our rich football heritage with our deep passion for the game and ensure Saudi Arabia's success as the first nation to host the 48-team tournament in one country. “
Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “This is a moment that marks a natural step in the journey of the development of Saudi Arabia's football and sports sector.”
He described the bid submission as an important moment for Saudi Arabian football and expressed his belief that the bid will capture the attention of the world football community and inspire future generations.
He told Arab News: “Fans will have the opportunity to explore different locations in Saudi Arabia, from the coastal cities of Jeddah and Al Khobar to the vibrant heart of the desert in Riyadh. They will experience our culture and hospitality firsthand.”
The Kingdom's football scene has developed significantly, and Al-Misehal said: “We now have a women's national team, and this contributes to the country's commitment to inclusivity and diversity in sport.”
He said that the federation will soon hold a press conference and give detailed information about the preparation and progress of the national team.
He described the submission of the formal bid book and the unveiling of the kingdom's plan as an important historic moment for Saudi Arabia.
Al-Misehal hoped the kingdom's plans would excite football fans around the world and inspire generations to come.
Prince Abdulaziz led the SAFF delegation to present the official bid book at a ceremony in Paris.
Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and Neom will be the five cities proposed to host the tournament. The cities will have 15 stadiums, with 11 currently planned.
Riyadh will have eight stadiums for World Cup matches, including the King Salman Stadium, due to be completed in 2029, which will accommodate more than 92,000 spectators and host the tournament's opening and final matches. It will be the new home ground for the Saudi national team.
In addition, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh will be a remarkable architectural marvel with triple-tiered stands and a stunning view of one of the Tuwaik cliffs.
Riyadh also includes the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, which will be renovated to the highest international standards. The stadium is expected to hold 70,000 spectators.
The Jeddah Central Development Stadium will feature an architectural design inspired by the region's local heritage and the traditional wooden architecture of historic Al-Balad, while the coastal King Abdullah Sports City Stadium will feature a natural design inspired by the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
The Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar will be located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and will feature a dynamic design inspired by the sea, while in Abha, the King Khalid University Stadium is set to be expanded to over 45,000 capacity during the tournament.
Meanwhile, NEOM Stadium is expected to be one of the most distinctive, and prestigious, stadiums in the world. The arena will be located inside The Line and will provide fans with an unprecedented experience. The stadium will also run entirely on renewable energy, mainly generated from wind and solar sources.
Taking advantage of the state's diverse and scenic geography, the hosting plan also includes 10 other host locations scheduled to be home to some training camps for the participating teams.
Saudi Arabia will have more than 230,000 rooms available in five host cities to meet FIFA requirements. These rooms will cater to VIPs, FIFA delegations, participating teams, media personnel, and fans.
A total of 132 training venues located in 15 cities have been offered as base camps for 48 teams, including 72 places designated for base camp training sites, with referees scheduled to have access to two base camp training sites.
The official bid book outlines 10 proposed FIFA Fan Festival sites in the state. FIFA will select one site in each host city from a list of Riyadh's King Salman Park, which is set to become the world's largest urban park.
Other sites include the Jeddah waterfront on the Red Sea; Al Bihar Square in Abha; A marina within The Line project at NEOM; and King Abdullah Park in Al Khobar.
If the state is awarded the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, it will rank among the most watched sporting events in history, while providing an unforgettable experience for all.
