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Saudi Arabia has submitted a sole bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, making it the likely choice to host the tournament. This is the first time that a country from the Middle East has bid to host the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia is a wealthy country with a strong economy, and it has been investing heavily in sports in recent years. The country has hosted a number of major sporting events, including the Dakar Rally and the Spanish Super Cup.
Saudi Arabia has also been building new sports stadiums and infrastructure in preparation for the 2034 World Cup. The country has proposed building 16 new stadiums, and it has also said that it will improve its transportation and accommodation infrastructure.
In its bid, Saudi Arabia has promised to deliver a “groundbreaking” World Cup that will be “the most inclusive and sustainable in history.” The country has also said that it will work with FIFA to ensure that the tournament is open to all fans, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or religion.
Why is Saudi Arabia Bidding to Host the World Cup?
There are a number of reasons why Saudi Arabia is bidding to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup:
- To raise its international profile and showcase its economic and social transformation: Hosting the World Cup would be a major coup for Saudi Arabia, and would help to attract investment and tourism to the country.
- To promote its “Vision 2030” economic and social reform plan: Vision 2030 aims to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil and to create a more modern and inclusive society. Hosting the World Cup would be a major step towards achieving these goals.
- To unite the Arab world: Saudi Arabia is hoping that hosting the World Cup will help to unite the Arab world and to promote peace and understanding in the region.
Challenges Facing Saudi Arabia Fifa World Cup
However, there are also a number of challenges that Saudi Arabia faces in its bid to host the 2034 World Cup:
- Human rights: Saudi Arabia has a poor human rights record. The country has been criticized for its treatment of women, religious minorities and LGBTQ+ people. FIFA has said that it will take human rights into account when making its decision on the host of the 2034 World Cup.
- Climate: Saudi Arabia is a very hot country, with temperatures that can reach over 50 degrees Celsius in the summer. This would pose a challenge for players and fans alike.
- Cost: Saudi Arabia is a relatively expensive country to visit. This could deter fans from traveling to the country for the World Cup.
Additional Information
Here are some additional points of interest about Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 bu World Cup:
- Saudi Arabia has proposed expanding the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting in 2026. This would be a major change to the format of the tournament, and would require FIFA approval.
- Saudi Arabia has also said that it would use solar power to generate electricity for all of the World Cup stadiums. This would make the tournament more sustainable and would help to reduce Saudi Arabia’s carbon footprint.
- Saudi Arabia has promised to build new public transportation infrastructure in the cities that would host the World Cup. This would make it easier for fans to get around and would help to reduce congestion.
Conclusion: The 2034 FIFA World Cup would be a major event for Saudi Arabia and for the Middle East. It would be the first time that the tournament has been held in the region, and it would provide an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to showcase its culture and its commitment to sport.