Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest-ever edition of the tournament staged in a single country. The kingdom will showcase the event across 15 stadiums in five cities, including eight in the capital, Riyadh, according to a Wednesday announcement from state media.

The decision follows Saudi Arabia’s official bid submission to FIFA, outlining an ambitious plan to host the tournament in a series of state-of-the-art facilities. The bid, detailed by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), includes five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM—a $500 billion futuristic city currently under development. Of the 15 stadiums, eleven will be newly constructed.

#SaudiArabia's 2034 FIFA World Cup stadiums. #Saudi2034bid — https://t.co/yCsg4pYkkf pic.twitter.com/VE6PzjvzQe — Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) July 31, 2024

Riyadh will feature eight stadiums, highlighted by the King Salman Stadium, which is set to become the centerpiece of the World Cup. With a capacity of over 92,000, it will host the opening and final matches of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia, the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup, has delivered its bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Will be a real nail biter to see who will host the 2034 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/xGrheoLkzt — tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 29, 2024

Saudi Arabia’s bid was uncontested, making it the designated host since October of the previous year. This follows Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, which set a record for costs, estimated at $220 billion.

السعودية تستعد لاستضافة أكبر كأس عالم في التاريخ 2034 
Saudi Arabia Prepares to Host Largest World Cup in History 2034 

السعودية تعلن رسميًا استعدادها لاستضافة أضخم نسخة من كأس العالم 2034:

• تجهيز 15 ملعبًا لاستيعاب البطولة الأكبر في تاريخ كرة القدم
• أول دولة تستضيف… pic.twitter.com/ylxgJHFiFP — ‏أول سعوديـ/ـة | FirstSaudi (@First1Saudi) July 31, 2024

To meet the World Cup's requirements, Saudi Arabia will need to ensure that 14 stadiums are all-seater with capacities of at least 40,000. Currently, the kingdom has two such venues: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah and King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, the latter of which is undergoing significant renovations.

The kingdom is also preparing for other major events, including the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games, as part of its broader strategy to enhance its global image and attract international investment.