Saudi Arabia has declared its willingness to host an expanded 64-team FIFA World Cup in 2034, should the global football governing body, FIFA, approve such an increase. The announcement comes after the Kingdom was officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 tournament in December, following an uncontested bid. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, emphasized the country’s preparedness, stating, “We are ready, or will be ready, God willing. If this is FIFA’s vision, and they find it suitable for everyone, we’re more than happy to host an expanded edition”.
The proposal to further expand the tournament from the already unprecedented 48-team format, which will debut at the 2026 World Cup in North America, has been driven primarily by South American football officials. Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL, has advocated for the centenary 2030 World Cup to feature 64 teams, arguing that such a milestone deserves a grander celebration. While the 2030 event will be split across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and briefly in South America, the idea of a 64-team tournament has faced resistance from other football confederations, including UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, who have raised concerns about logistical challenges and tournament integrity.
Saudi Arabia’s bid includes ambitious infrastructure plans, with commitments to build or renovate 15 stadiums by 2032 and leverage its experience hosting millions of religious pilgrims annually. The Kingdom has also pledged to prioritize worker safety, referencing labor reforms and ongoing consultations with FIFA and Qatar to ensure best practices. As the debate over expansion continues, Saudi officials maintain that they will align with FIFA’s eventual decision and are prepared to deliver a tournament of unprecedented scale if required.
A key consideration for the 2034 World Cup is the timing of the event, given Saudi Arabia’s extreme summer temperatures. Discussions with FIFA are ongoing regarding whether to follow Qatar’s precedent and hold the tournament in winter months to ensure optimal conditions for players and fans. Prince Abdulaziz underscored that the ultimate priority is the fan experience, promising that Saudi Arabia will make the necessary preparations to host the world’s biggest football event at the most suitable time and scale.
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(Source: Saudi Gazette | FlashScore | NYT)
