FIFA has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, marking another major milestone in the Gulf kingdom’s growing presence in global sports.
The decision, confirmed during a virtual congress of FIFA’s 211 member associations, was unchallenged, with no rival bids submitted. Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Faisal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, expressed the country’s excitement, saying, “It is a proud day… We intend to have an extraordinary version of the World Cup in our kingdom.”
The event will be a historic occasion for the Arab world, following Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated both Saudi Arabia and Morocco. He described the achievements as “a source of Arab Gulf Islamic pride and joy” in a statement on his official social media account.
The 2030 World Cup, marking the tournament’s centenary, will involve a unique format with three opening matches played in South America, hosted by Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The rest of the tournament will take place across Europe and Africa. Morocco will become only the second African nation to host the World Cup after South Africa in 2010.
Potential venues for the 2030 final include Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, and Morocco’s proposed Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, with a capacity of 115,000.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s decision to rotate the World Cup between continents ensured Asia and Oceania were the only eligible regions for 2034, paving the way for Saudi Arabia’s successful bid. The kingdom has vowed to deliver an extraordinary tournament, inviting the world to witness its ambitious vision.
The next World Cup will take place in 2026 across North America, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams.
