Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Bid Earns Higher Marks Than 2026 Tournament

Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid received a higher technical score from FIFA than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, even though the Middle Eastern nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.

FIFA published its bid evaluation report, revealing that the 2034 bid achieved an overall average score of 4.2 out of 5, even though eight stadiums have yet to be constructed.

All venues, including the planned 92,760-seater King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, will not be completed until 2032, but three new stadiums are expected to be finished for the Asian Cup, which kicks off in January 2027.

In contrast, the 2026 bid received a score of 4.0, having originally suggested 23 stadiums, all of which were already completed.

Ultimately, 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup were selected, with many of the venues being existing NFL stadiums.

“The (Saudi) bid includes some ambitious stadium projects integrated into unique locations, including the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium located within the Qiddiya development and NEOM Stadium located within ‘The Line’ development,” FIFA’s report said.

FIFA added that although Saudi Arabia’s “one-of-a-kind” stadium projects have a lot of potential, the “proposed configuration and location” would “require a reimagining of operations, with some associated unknowns or challenges at this moment in time.”

NEOM, a Red Sea urban and industrial development nearly the size of Belgium due to house nearly nine million people, is central to the prince’s Vision 2030 plan to create new engines of economic growth beyond oil.

However, several of the projects have had to be downsized due to increasing costs, including ‘The Line,’ a futuristic city designed to stretch 170 km (106 miles) into the desert with mirrored walls as part of the NEOM initiative.

“Consequently, should the bid be successful, it would be imperative to closely monitor and support these projects from initiation to completion,” FIFA added.

Stadiums alone account for 35% of the overall score awarded to bids and FIFA said the level of risk in the 2026 bid was low.

However, the Saudi bid had a medium level of risk.

“Due to the overall scale of the stadium projects, as well as the novel designs and configurations proposed in some cases, there is an elevated risk profile,” FIFA said.

However, they added that the risk was mitigated as Saudi Arabia has a strong team in place and ample time to deliver on the projects.

The Cup vote

Ahead of the World Cup vote next month, Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, said FIFA’s score reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to growing the game and their “rapid transformation.”

Votes are scheduled to take place at the FIFA Congress next month to approve the host nations for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, although there is only one bid for each tournament.

“It is the result of our extensive efforts to present an exceptional bid. It’s a testament to the collaboration between multiple entities across the Kingdom,” Prince Al-Faisal said.

Saudi Arabia is the lone bidder for 2034, while a combined bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal is the sole one for 2030. The 2030 World Cup bid also received a score of 4.2.

FIFA said the Saudi bid did not stipulate a proposed window for the World Cup but they would collaborate with stakeholders to “determine the optimal timing” for the tournament.

Due to the country’s desert climate, the 2034 World Cup may be pushed to a winter slot just as FIFA did with the 2022 edition in neighboring Qatar.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) called on FIFA to pause the selection of Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 tournament unless significant human rights reforms are announced before the vote.

FIFA’s bid report said Saudi Arabia submitted commitments to “respecting, protecting and fulfilling internationally recognized human rights.”

Those include areas of “safety and security, labor rights of migrant workers, rights of children, gender equality and non-discrimination, as well as freedom of expression (including press freedom).”