Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
This historic announcement came after an online meeting of FIFA’s 211 member associations on Wednesday.
The decision followed a simple acclamation process, where members clapped to approve the unchallenged bid.
Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for the tournament, making its selection a foregone conclusion.
The announcement has sparked celebrations across the Middle East, marking a new milestone in Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions.
Speaking after the decision, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, expressed his excitement.
“This is a dream come true for the people of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He added that the tournament would showcase the kingdom’s rich culture and cutting-edge infrastructure to the world.
The president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, also praised the move.
“This is a proud moment for all of Asia,” he said during a celebration in Riyadh.
The World Cup bid is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.
The initiative, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to diversify the economy and promote global partnerships.
Hosting the World Cup aligns with the kingdom’s goals of creating a vibrant society, thriving economy, and ambitious nation.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports to bolster its global image.
The country has hosted major events such as Formula One races, the Saudi Pro League, and boxing championships.
Now, with the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Saudi Arabia is cementing its place as a global sports hub.
Saudi Arabia will become the second Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup.
The first was Qatar, which hosted the tournament in 2022.
Experts believe the success of the Qatar World Cup paved the way for Saudi Arabia’s bid.
“Qatar set the standard, and Saudi Arabia is ready to take it even further,” said a football analyst.
The 2034 edition will be unique as it will feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup ever held in a single country.
While the announcement is a cause for celebration in Saudi Arabia, the bidding process has not been without criticism.
FIFA restricted the bidding to nations in Asia and Oceania, giving countries just one month to submit applications.
Australia, initially interested in hosting, withdrew due to the tight timeline.
This left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, leading some to question the transparency of the process.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the decision.
“Saudi Arabia has proven its commitment to football and has the resources to deliver a spectacular tournament,” he said.