Friday marked the official start of the country of Saudi Arabia’s campaign to host the 2034 international Cup, coming four months after FIFA, the international governing body of football, declared the country to be the sole contender.
Two years have passed since neighboring Qatar staged the inaugural Middle East World Cup.
The campaign is under the slogan “Growing. Together”, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) revealed its bid logo, website, as well as a short bid film that celebrates “the passion, spirit and diversity of football in Saudi Arabia”.
“This campaign is powered by the hopes and dreams of 32 million people in Saudi Arabia,” the head of the SAFF bid unit, Hammad Albalawi, said in a statement.
“Our responsibility is to submit the best possible bid to FIFA, make our country proud and fulfil the trust placed upon us by more than 130 Member Associations across the world who supported our bid.”
Under Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a tourism, business and sports hub, the kingdom has invested heavily in sport.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a “multi-year strategic partnership” with the ATP, the governing body of men’s tennis.
Since 2021, PIF has invested heavily in a number of major sports, including setting up the LIV golf tour, a rival to the PGA, and purchasing English Premier League club Newcastle United.
It also owns four clubs in the Saudi Pro League and has lured global stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar with huge salaries.
The investment has led to accusations the kingdom is “sportswashing” international criticism of its human rights record.
As soon as the process was started on October 4, Saudi Arabia declared its plan to submit a bid for the 2034 tournament.
FIFA has only “invited” members of the Asian and Oceanian confederations to apply as a result of the regional rotation, leaving out the traditional footballing heartlands.
Prior to deciding to back Saudi Arabia’s candidacy on October 19, Indonesia had contemplated a combined effort with Australia or potentially other nations like New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
