Saudi Arabia has included plans to build 11 new stadiums, including one that will be built 350 metres above the ground, as part of its formal bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Although Saudi Arabia is the only country in contention to secure the rights to host the 2034 World Cup, having submitted its bid before the deadline last October, the Middle Eastern nation completed its formal submission to FIFA by unveiling its official bid book in Paris on Wednesday.
The most surprising plans in the proposal are to build an above-ground stadium in Neom, a so-called “City of the Future” yet to be built.
While Neom is not expected to be fully completed until 2039, the Saudi World Cup bid has said the 45,000-seat stadium in the city will be one of the “most distinctive and iconic stadiums in the world,” built on the edge of a cliff within The Line, a linear smart city built above ground.
The stadium will only be accessible by driverless vehicles and high-speed elevators. “The stadium will be located within THE LINE, more than 350 meters above the ground,” the Saudi bid document says.
“It will offer an unprecedented and exceptional experience for fans planning to attend the tournament matches.
“In addition, the stadium will be powered entirely by renewable energy, generated primarily from wind and solar sources, marking a historic shift in stadium design worldwide.”
The 2034 World Cup will be a 48-team tournament taking place across five cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and Neom) with eight stadiums planned in the capital Riyadh, including the 92,000-capacity King Salman Stadium, which will host the opening match and the World Cup final.
“Together we are working to turn Saudi Arabia's dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup into a tangible reality, as outlined in our official bid book,” said Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud.
“These plans will combine our rich football heritage with our deep passion for the game and ensure Saudi Arabia's success as the first nation to host a 48-team tournament in a single country.”
FIFA must confirm the host country for the 2034 World Cup by the end of 2024. The 2026 tournament will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while a combined bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco is the only one in the running to secure the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup.
