By Victor Kanayo
Saudi Arabia are now officially bidding to host the 2034 World Cup.
Their expression of interest is coming months after football world governing body FIFA announced that the kingdom was the only candidate.
Saudi’s neighbour Qatar became the first middle east nation to host the World Cup in 2022.
Initial Interest
Saudi Arabia was initially interested in bidding for the 2030 World Cup alongside Egypt and Greece but that idea was abandoned in June, leaving the path open for a tri-continental bid of Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with three matches in South America.
The campaign is under the slogan “Growing. Together”, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) revealed its bid logo, website, as well as a short bid film that celebrates “the passion, spirit and diversity of football in Saudi Arabia”.
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According to SAFF’s head of bid uni, Hammad Albalawi, via a statement, “This campaign is powered by the hopes and dreams of 32 million people in Saudi Arabia.
“Our responsibility is to submit the best possible bid to FIFA, make our country proud and fulfil the trust placed upon us by more than 130 Member Associations across the world who supported our bid.”
A Kingdom’s Sustained Investment In Sports
Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a tourism, business and sports hub, the kingdom has invested heavily in sport.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a “multi-year strategic partnership” with the ATP, the governing body of men’s tennis.
Since 2021, PIF has invested heavily in a number of major sports, including setting up the LIV golf tour, a rival to the PGA, and purchasing English Premier League club Newcastle United.
It also owns four clubs in the Saudi Pro League and has lured global stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar with huge salaries.
The investment has led to accusations that the kingdom is “sportswashing” international criticism of its human rights record.
Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid for the 2034 event on October 4, as soon as the procedure had been launched.
