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Saudi Arabia has put forward a bold and exciting bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
With the tournament set to be hosted in North America in 2026, and then South America, Europe and Africa in 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to make history by becoming the first single country to host a 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Some of the stadiums already exist and will be refurbished; some are currently being built; and others are planned. The significant demand for more sports and entertainment facilities from a young, football obsessed population – not to mention the increasing number of major sports events being held Saudi Arabia both now and in the future – makes the hosting of a FIFA World Cup a natural target for a country quite literally building a new exciting future for itself.
Billed as one of the fastest and most exciting growth stories in world football, Goal runs you through every single stadium that is planned to potentially stage the 25th edition of FIFA World Cup, with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain and France all likely to vie for the honour of lifting the biggest trophy in sport.
Bid bookKing Salman International Stadium (Riyadh)
The King Salman International Stadium is under construction and slated to be completed by 2029.
Once finished, it will be able to hold over 92,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in the country. It is currently scheduled to host the opening game and the FIFA World Cup Final, as well as matches in every round of the competition.
It will be built with sustainability in mind, and will anchor the Green Riyadh development masterplan.
Bid bookKing Fahad Sports City Stadium (Riyadh)
The King Fahad Sports City Stadium will be completed in 2026 and will be able to host over 70,000 fans.
It will have a remarkably eye-catching design, inspired by the traditional tents often found in Saudi Arabia.
The stadium will play host to games throughout the tournament, culminating with a semi-final in Riyadh.
Bid bookPrince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium (Riyadh)
The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
It is perhaps one of the most futuristic designs for the tournament, boasting iridescent glass and shimmering metal, combining to create an almost-cyberpunk aesthetic.
The stadium will contain nearly 50,000 seats and will host multiple games through the group stages, the round of 32, the round of 16 and the third-place play-off.
Bid bookNew Murabba Stadium (Riyadh)
The New Murabba Stadium will be completed by 2032.
The ground is inspired by the texture of the bark of the Acacia tree, which is native to Saudi Arabia.
The 46,000 seater stadium will host games throughout the group stage and the Round of 16.
Bid bookRoshn Stadium (Riyadh)
Another futuristic design, the Roshn Stadium will feature a glowing, crystalline exterior that is really quite remarkable.
With a capacity of 46,000 fans,the stadium will be completed by 2032.
At the tournament, the Roshn Stadium will play host to group stage fixtures, as well as at least one game from the round of 32.
Bid bookPrince Faisal Bin Fahad Sports City Stadium (Riyadh)
The Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Sports City Stadium will be completed by 2027.
It will have a capacity of over 46,000 and will host games in the group stages and round of 32.
The construction will feature locally produced materials as well as a variety of green spaces around the outside of the stadium, furthering Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a sustainable tournament.
Bid bookSouth Riyadh Stadium (Riyadh)
The South Riyadh Stadium is planned for completion by 2032 and will have a capacity of over 47,000.
A gorgeous design will pay tribute to the Wadi Hanifa seasonal river valley, which runs through the heart of the city of Riyadh.
The stadium will host games in the group stages and the round of 32.
Bid bookKing Saud University Stadium (Riyadh)
The King Saud University Stadium is an existing stadium but will be developed and built upon, expanding the ground by the year 2032.
The capacity will grow from 26,100 to over 46,000 and once expanded, the stadium will host games in the group stages and the round of 32.
The ground is also next to the U Walk, a King Saud University mixed-use development.
Bid bookKing Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium was opened in 2014 and has a capacity of 58,432.
Known as the Shining Jewel, the stadium has already hosted multiple historic events, including WWE Premium Live Events, boxing matches – including Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk, ATP tennis tournaments and most recently the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final.
It will host games in the groups, as well as each knockout round to the quarter-finals.
Bid bookQiddiya Coast Stadium (Jeddah)
The Qiddiya Coast Stadium in Jeddah will be completed by 2032 and will feature a capacity of over 46,000.
The proposed design will evoke the famous Mexican Wave, with a ripple effect surrounded by green spaces.
It will host games in the group stages, as well as the round of 32 and the round of 16.
Bid bookJeddah Central Development Stadium (Jeddah)
The Jeddah Central Development Stadium is due to be finished by 2027.
The stadium will host games in the group stage and the round of 32, and the design will be inspired by Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district – founded in the seventh century and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bid bookKing Abdullah Economic City Stadium (Jeddah)
The King Abdullah Economic City Stadium will host games in the group stages and round of 32.
It will host over 45,000 fans once completed in 2032.
The design is inspired by the aesthetic of how local coral reefs grow off the coast of Saudi Arabia. There are a variety of reefs in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.
Bid bookAramco Stadium (Al Khobar)
The Aramco Stadium, due to be completed by 2026, is currently under construction and will be the only stadium in Al Khobar.
The stadium will hold over 46,000 fans and will host games in the group stages, the round of 32, and the round of 16.
Another ground that draws inspiration from water, it is a design that celebrates the sea’s dynamic nature.
Bid bookKing Khalid University Stadium (Abha)
The King Khalid University Stadium in Abha is already built but refurbishments are scheduled to be completed in 2032.
It will have a capacity of over 45,000 – extended from 22,000 seats – and will host games in the group stages, the round of 32 and the round of 16.
The mountain stadium will be renovated to feature modern amenities and technology.
Bid bookNEOM Stadium (NEOM)
With the stadium’s pitch situated more than 350 meters above ground, the NEOM stadium will be an experience like no other. Enwrapped by the city’s infrastructure, the stadium is designed to stand out among the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Hosting over 46,000 spectators, the stadium will run entirely on renewable energy and will hold games from the group stages through to the quarter-finals.
GOAL