The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 World Cup, according to a comprehensive plan through which the Saudi Football Federation seeks to harness all the potentials and energies to provide a wonderful and unprecedented experience to delight football fans in this global event after the great successes achieved in hosting the kingdom for many international sporting events and events.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and prime minister, stressed on this occasion that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's desire to host the 2034 World Cup is a reflection of the comprehensive renaissance it has reached at all levels, which has made it a leading center and an international interface to host the largest and most important global events in various fields, with its economic assets and great cultural heritage.
His Highness pointed out that the intention of hosting comes as a confirmation of the clear and great efforts made by the kingdom in spreading messages of peace and love in the world, of which sport is one of the most important and prominent aspects, as it is an important means of meeting people of different races and multiculturalism, which the kingdom has always achieved in various fields, including the sports field.
The kingdom is keen on optimal investment in the sports sector through continuous work to achieve the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, which is reflected in the quality of life levels of the kingdom's citizens and residents on its territory, and to provide an unprecedented wonderful experience for football fans in the world in 2034.
The kingdom has successfully hosted more than 50 international sporting events since 2018 in various sports such as football, Motor Sports, Golf, e-sports, tennis, equestrian and others, through which it has established its position as one of the leading global sports destinations.
This announcement of the intention to run to host the most important tournament in the world of football comes after 6 previous participations of the Saudi national team, the last of which was in 2022.
On this occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, Minister of sports and chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: "over the past years, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embodied its global position through the Renaissance and development we are witnessing at all levels, with the support of His Highness The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the direct attention of His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God protect them, which reflected the great qualitative shift of the sports sector.
His Highness added: "This announcement is an important and natural step in our journey as a country that is passionate about football and a true embodiment of the success that the kingdom is witnessing, and also confirms its commitment in the development of various sports, including the game of football, as the kingdom is keen through its intention to host the 2034 World Cup to provide an unprecedented experience for everyone around the world, and we also confirm that the success in hosting major international sporting events in various games during the past period, and the kingdom's victory in hosting many continental and international tournaments over the next few years, is a good testimony to the distinctive status that our country has reached, including it makes it an ideal home for organizing an exceptional version of World Cup".
For his part, the president of the Saudi Football Federation, Yasser bin Hassan Al-Mashal, said: "the support enjoyed by the sports sector in general and the Saudi Football Federation in particular by the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness The Crown Prince - may Allah protect them-and the continuous follow-up that the federation finds by His Highness The Minister of Sports, has brought Saudi football to world levels.
He continued by saying:"the announcement of the intention to run is an important moment that keeps pace with the development that we are living in our great homeland, and embodies the passion of the Saudi people for football and the kingdom's quest to achieve more progress and growth for this game through the organization of this extraordinary event".
The sport of football in the kingdom has witnessed a significant development, as the number of players has increased by 50% and female players by 86% since 2021, and the number of coaches has increased from 750 coaches in 2018 to more than 5,500 coaches so far this year, in addition to the opening of more than 18 regional training centers in various regions of the kingdom for young men and women.
The Saudi Professional League is also one of the strongest Asian leagues and competes globally with the presence of top international stars from more than 45 countries, which made it the focus of the world's attention.
It is worth mentioning that the kingdom will host during the coming period the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup finals in addition to a number of major international tournaments in various games.