Saudi Arabia is throwing its hat in the ring for the 2034 World Cup, taking steps to elevate its bid by funneling significant investments into FIFA via its national oil company, Aramco. This is part of a broader vision to transform into a dynamic business and tourism hub.
Aramco has worked its way up to become a significant global partner of FIFA until 2027's end. With a partnership that spans numerous events such as USA, Canada, and Mexico's 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Women's World Cup, Aramco's deal with FIFA is reportedly valued at 1 billion for the contract duration, as reported by The Times.
The influx of funds is earmarked for the development of football across the globe. Hosting the illustrious tournament, following Qatar's lead, is on Saudi Arabia's agenda. The bid is driven by Crown Prince Mohammed ben Salmane and his ambitious “Vision 2030” project.
Vision 2030 and Football
The Vision 2030 project is a strategic move to revamp Saudi Arabia's economy. The blueprint seeks to curtail oil dependency and stimulate growth in the business and tourism sectors. A cornerstone of this strategy is hosting the Football World Cup, which is expected to attract global attention and spur economic development.
Not everyone is on board with this idea, though. Critics claim that FIFA may be overlooking ethical considerations for financial gain. They cite concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its less than stellar record on environmental performance.
Despite these criticisms, Saudi Arabia's hefty financial contributions to world sports are projected to bolster their chances of hosting the tournament. Their bid signals a determined effort to achieve their transformation goals and bring the World Cup to the Gulf region.