Saudi Arabia looks set to be the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup after the announcement yesterday from Football Australia - the only other country to have shown an interest in hosting the tournament - that it was not submitting a bid.
With the deadline for bids falling at 5pm (Central European Time) yesterday, and FIFA having confirmed that the only declaration of interest it has received for the 2034 tournament is from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the Middle Eastern country is on track to host FIFA’s major tournament in 11 years.
Indonesia’s football association had previously said that it would be open to a joint bid with Australia for the 2034 World Cup, but over recent days it had moved to back Saudi Arabia’s proposal.
Only countries in Oceania and Asia were eligible to bid for the 2034 World Cup after FIFA confirmed last month that the 2030 tournament will be played in six countries spanning three continents.
FIFA has relaxed its World Cup bidding rules regarding existing stadiums in a move likely to assist Saudi Arabia’s hopes of staging the 2034 tournament, lowering the number of existing stadiums required from seven to four.
Saudi Arabia currently has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of its hosting of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, with the country’s largest, the 58,000 capacity King Fahd Stadium in the capital of Riyadh, currently being expanded to 80,000 capacity.
Becoming the second Middle Eastern country to ever host the World Cup, after Qatar did so in 2022, a tournament in Saudi Arabia would again see its staging in the Northern Hemisphere winter, disrupting the major European leagues and competitions.
The men’s FIFA World Cup will expand to a 48-team tournament in 2026, when the USA, Canada and Mexico will co-host.
Images: The 58,000 King Fahd Stadium in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, the country's largest stadium (top, credit: Shutterstock and below, credit: Wikimedia Commons/على المزارقهر).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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