FIFA Gives Easing So Saudi Arabia Can Host The 2034 World Cup?

Illustration of the World Cup. (Instagram @go.qatar.2022)

JAKARTA - Further steps have been taken by Saudi Arabia in the process of submitting to host the 2034 World Cup. On Monday, October 9, Saudi Arabia has even submitted a statement letter to host FIFA.

"Last week we announced our ambition to host the 20234 World Cup and this official submission continues our journey to realize the dreams of our people," Yasser Al Miselal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said in a statement.

"We are very committed to presenting the most competitive offers that will also help unite the world through football," he added.

SAFF has expressed their seriousness in applying to host the 2034 World Cup. The effort was also supported by more than 70 FIFA member associations from various continents.

Earlier last week FIFA appointed Morocco, Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting the opening games to mark the anniversary of the tournaments.

With the 2030 World Cup being held on the three continents, it makes sense that the next edition will be the turn of the Oceania or Asia countries.

Saudi Arabia later emerged as a country that intends to propose itself, with preparations that have been pursued by FIFA as if it has approved the kingdom.

FIFA has even relaxed the requirements for bidding as host to facilitate Saudis. The initial requirement was that a country that volunteered to host the World Cup had to propose a minimum of 14 stadiums with a minimum capacity of 40 thousand spectators and some of them had to be able to accommodate between 60 thousand and 80 thousand spectators.

The latest changes were changed to at least four stadiums that are permanent and have modern infrastructure according to the times for maximum quality.

With these conditions, Saudi Arabia is reportedly continuing to pursue the construction of stadiums in Riyadh, Qiddiya, Jeddah, Dammam, and in Bin Salman's favorite project, the proposed NEOM desert city as a modern desert city. The country will also modernize stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Taif, and Buraidah.

This move is the latest round from Saudi Arabia that intends to use exercise as a tool for diplomacy and the formation of a new image of a country that was previously conservative.