Saudi sizes up ‘huge challenge’ for WCup
A decade before it hosts football’s World Cup, the size of the task facing Saudi Arabia is becoming apparent, including building stadiums, hotels and transport links. As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA.
Infrastructure is the initial concern for the oil-rich kingdom, which is snapping up high-profile sports events in an attempt to sweep away its conservative image and entice foreign investment. Despite its oil riches, the world’s biggest crude exporter has much on its plate. It has committed to several other giant projects — including NEOM, a $500 billion, futuristic new city — as part of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.
To host the 48-team World Cup, the country needs 14 all-seater stadiums capable of holding at least 40,000 people, according to the bid document. It currently has two: Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Riyadh’s venerable King Fahd International Stadium, which is undergoing a major refit.
Saudi Arabia has a well-established and popular football league but among its 30-plus stadiums, many are old, small and have pitches surrounded by athletics tracks, a design that has long gone out of vogue. “We still have 10 full years ahead of us that will see the state of stadiums in Saudi Arabia change radically,” a Saudi Football Federation official told AFP. “It is a huge challenge, but we will overcome it,” the official said on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak to media.
By the time the World Cup kicks off, the desert country of 32 million will have hosted the 2027 Asian Cup and even the 2029 Asian Winter Games, a decision that was panned by environmentalists. In 2034, the same year as the World Cup, Riyadh will host the Asian Games — a two-week tournament with more events than the Summer Olympics and a similar number of athletes.
Saudi Arabia, where alcohol is banned, became the sole bidders for 2034 a year after gas-wealthy neighbour Qatar hosted the Middle East’s first World Cup at an eye-watering cost of $220 billion, including related infrastructure. As the 2027 Asian Cup looms, work has started not just on the King Fahd International Stadium refit but also on a new clifftop venue in Qiddiya, a mega-project outside the capital, and another stadium in the eastern city of Dammam. All of them are scheduled to open in 2026.
Authorities are planning another in Diriyah, former base of the Al Saud royal dynasty, with its design already approved, according to a Saudi official. The sports ministry is preparing to issue tenders worth 10 billion riyals ($2.69 billion) to build and expand football venues, according to domestic media. World Cup games are planned for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha along with Qiddiya and NEOM, both cornerstones of Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 and under construction. Saudi is going to need more than just stadiums, said architect Hussein Mahran.