Yesterday (Wednesday), the Saudi Football Association announced it would bid to host the 2034 World Cup finals, minutes after FIFA asked countries in the Asia and Oceania region to apply to host.

“The Saudi federation plans to host the tournament in accordance with a comprehensive plan that utilizes all capabilities and potential to provide an exciting and unprecedented experience to entertain football fans,” the Saudi federation said.

Saudi Arabia’s announcement comes minutes after FIFA announced that the 2030 edition will be held in Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with the first three matches being played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

FIFA has confirmed that the 2034 edition will be held in either the Asia or Oceania region and has invited countries from both regions to submit bids.

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: The Kingdom’s desire to host the 2034 World Cup is a reflection of what it has achieved, based on comprehensive revival at all levels and levels, praise be to God, which has produced leadership. Center and international interface for hosting the largest and most important global events in various fields.” regions, their economic potential and great civilizational and cultural heritage.”

He added: “The intention to host comes as a confirmation of the Kingdom’s clear and outstanding efforts to spread messages of peace and love in the world, of which sports are one of the most important and prominent aspects. “Important ways for people of different races and multiculturalism to meet is what the Kingdom has strived to achieve in various sectors,” including the sports sector.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a huge rise in the level of sport and in recent months it has attracted some of the world’s most prominent footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.

Sports are an essential contributor to economic growth and prosperity. Saudi Arabia is keen to invest optimally in the sports sector through continuous work to achieve the goals of “Vision 2030”, which will reflect and provide something wonderful in the quality of life of the Kingdom’s citizens and residents of its lands. , an unprecedented experience for football fans in the world in 2034.

Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted more than 50 international sporting events in various sports since 2018. Football, motor sports, golf, e-sports, tennis, equestrian and others, thereby establishing its position as one of the most important global sports destinations.

The announcement of the Saudi national team’s intention to bid for the most important tournament in the world of football comes after 6 previous participations, the last of which was in 2022.

Football has grown tremendously in Saudi Arabia. The number of male and female players has increased by 50 percent since 2021, and apart from over 18 coaches, the number of male and female coaches has increased from 750 in 2018 to over 5,500 male and female coaches this year. Regional training centers in different parts of the country for youth and women.

Saudi Arabia is preparing major stadiums to host major football matches as it builds stadiums in northern Riyadh, central Jeddah and Dammam in addition to the Gidia and NEOM stadiums.

In this case, the International Football Federation (FIFA) announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the 2030 World Cup will be held in Morocco, Spain and Portugal, and the first three matches will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. A century of rivalry.

The tournament was a joint effort between Morocco, Portugal and Spain. FIFA must announce the winning bid next year.

The World Cup was held for the first time in 1930 in Uruguay, and the rivals won the title.

This will be the first edition of the World Cup to be held across three continents and six countries, meaning the group stage matches will be held in different climatic seasons.

FIFA said in a statement: “The FIFA Council unanimously approved a joint bid by Morocco, Portugal and Spain to host the tournament in 2030, with all three countries directly qualifying for the finals as hosts.”

He continued: “Furthermore, given the historic context of the first edition of the World Cup, the FIFA Council unanimously agreed that Montevideo will host an exceptional celebration for this edition, thus hosting the first three matches. , respectively, in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.”

The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar, with Argentina winning the title, while the Moroccan national team pulled off a stunning surprise by reaching the semi-finals.

Argentina’s confederation said “the first match in the group stage will be played at home and in front of its fans in 2030”.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “In a divided world, FIFA and football unite.”

He continued: “The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the World Cup. The first edition was held in Uruguay in 1930 in a very proper manner.

The FIFA president added: “As a result, celebrations will be held in three countries in South America. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each organize one match at the 2030 World Cup.”

Infantino confirmed that the first of the three matches will be played at the famous Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, which hosted the first match in 1930.

Paraguayan confederation president Robert Harrison said the three South American nations would qualify directly for the World Cup, but he did not explain how this would affect the continent’s qualifiers.

For his part, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI welcomed FIFA’s decision.

The news that the FIFA Council has unanimously approved the bid of Morocco, Spain and Portugal as the sole proposal to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup brings great joy to the people of Morocco, the Royal Court report said. .”

He added: “This decision represents a tribute and recognition of the special status that Morocco enjoys in key countries.”

Neither Morocco nor Portugal have ever hosted the World Cup, while Spain organized the 1982 edition.

Pedro Rocha, head of the Spanish confederation’s governing body, said his country was eager to bring back the World Cup after winning the title in 2010.

He added: “I am confident that together with Morocco and Portugal we will host the best World Cup in history.”

The president of the Portuguese confederation, Fernando Gomes, said: “The three countries will bring vibrant traditions, unparalleled institutional expertise and the ability to innovate, and will undoubtedly leave a mark on the future of the tournament.”

FIFA has confirmed that the 2034 World Cup will be held in either Asia or Oceania, and invited confederation members from the two regions to submit hosting bids.