FIFA World Cup 2034: Saudi Arabia confirmed as sole candidate

Unopposed bid secures hosting rights for 25th edition

Saudi Arabian Football Federation's declaration of interest accepted

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's (SAFF) bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 has been confirmed as the sole candidate for the tournament.

FIFA announced the decision on Friday, following an evaluation of the SAFF's bid book and a visit to the proposed host cities. The kingdom is set to become the first Arab nation to host the World Cup, which will mark the 25th edition of the prestigious competition.

In line with the principle of confederation rotation, the tournament was expected to be held in Asia for the first time since 2002. Morocco, Portugal, and Spain had initially submitted a joint bid, but later withdrew.

The FIFA World Cup 2034 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, with 48 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The games will be played across 16 venues in 10 Saudi Arabian cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, with an estimated audience of billions. Hosting the tournament will provide Saudi Arabia with a significant opportunity to showcase its culture and infrastructure to the world.

The road to the FIFA World Cup 2034 will now begin, with the qualifying rounds set to start in 2026. The tournament itself will take place from June to July 2034.