FIFA has officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The decision, confirmed during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress on Wednesday, follows a single-bid process for the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also confirmed Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup, marking a historic multi-continental event. The tournament will feature matches in six nations, including celebratory games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honour the World Cup’s centenary.
“We are bringing football to more countries and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It actually enhanced the opportunity,” Infantino said about the 2030 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 tournament will be the first 48-team World Cup hosted by a single country, with matches held across 15 stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
Riyadh’s upcoming King Salman Stadium, with a capacity of 92,000, is slated to host the opening and final matches.
This announcement marks Saudi Arabia as the second Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup, following Qatar’s successful 2022 edition.