Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the nation. The decision came after Saudi Arabia secured a record-breaking bidding rating of 419.8 out of 500, surpassing the joint bid from the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will be held exclusively in Saudi Arabia during the winter season of 2034, and FIFA is set to officially confirm the host nation on December 11.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his gratitude for the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, whose backing he credited as crucial to the success of the bid. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their support and empowerment, which played a pivotal role in achieving this outstanding result,” the Prince said.

He further emphasized Saudi Arabia’s passion for football, noting that the country’s young population is eager to engage with the sport and contribute to its global growth. “Saudi Arabia is a footballing nation with a young population that truly loves the game. Young people are looking for a bright future. This score by FIFA simply reflects our commitment to grow the game, our rapid transformation, and our desire to host the best possible tournament for the entire world to enjoy,” he remarked.

Prince Abdulaziz also attributed the success of the bid to the comprehensive efforts and cooperation across various sectors of the Kingdom, all driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. “It is the result of our extensive efforts to present an exceptional bid and a testament to the collaboration between multiple entities across the Kingdom, driven by Vision 2030, which has enabled all sectors to unite behind a bid that represents the aspirations of the Kingdom’s leadership and the ambitions of the Saudi people,” he added.