SAUDI ARABIA EARNS FIMA WORLD CUP HOSTING RIGHTS
Riyadh, Dec 31 (Xinhua) -- In a thrilling moment of national pride and passion for football, Saudi Arabia has secured the coveted hosting rights to the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
This significant milestone marks a pivotal step in the country's journey as a global sporting powerhouse. For years, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to major international events, boasting an impressive record of hosting high-profile sports competitions from football to motorsports and more.
According to Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi World Cup bid, the achievement reflects the country's expanding sports infrastructure and passion for football. "We have great football, great tourism, great projects, and great infrastructure," he said. "We are naturally positioned to host the biggest football tournament in the world. We look forward to 2034 and beyond."
The year has been a triumphant one for Saudi Arabian sports with major hosting successes, including previous events such as:
- Dakar Rally (2024)
- Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (2024)
- WTT Saudi Grand Slam (2024)
- The WTA Finals (2024)
- ATP Next Gen Finals (2024)
The nation is also seeing significant returns on investment in the sports sector with its market value projected to reach $22.4 billion by 2030.
Other recent announcements and developments show that Saudi Arabia is taking major strides towards becoming a leading destination for international sports:
- A new "Sports Boulevard" project planned, featuring the world's tallest tower.
- The launch of the Saudi Scholarship Program for developing football talents ('Future Falcons').
- Continuous efforts to establish professional table tennis in the nation (WTT).
With this move, Saudi Arabia solidifies its position as a rising force in global sports with the promise of creating a future where it will be at the forefront of major international competitions.