After Australia withdrew its bid as the host country for the World Cup in 2034, only Saudi Arabia remains. The last figure floating around is a budget leading up to and through the World Cup of 150 billion euros.
Saudi Arabia has plans for a futuristic World Cup stadium to be built ‘350 meters above the ground’ in the undeveloped city of Neom
A total of 11 new stadiums will be built for the 2034 World Cup.
The unofficial whitewashing of a dictatorship is in full swing and that with FIFA president Giovanni Infantino’s help. But the way the world looks now, it hardly matters anymore where sports are held.
Saudi Arabia wants to build 11 new stadiums – including one that will be built 350 meters above ground level – this is evident in their formal offer to host the men’s World Cup in 2034.
It was confirmed this week that Saudi Arabia will host the competition after they were waved through at the FIFA congress.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, has backed the country to deliver a “spectacular” and “unique” World Cup that will host the first-ever 48-team tournament in five proposed host cities; Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM. – By the way, Neom does not exist yet.
In total, eight of the 15 stadiums used will be located in the capital city of Riyadh, including the brand-new 92,000-capacity King Salman Stadium, which will host the tournament’s opening and final.
NEOM, for example, is perhaps the most exciting arena. A futuristic city located on the Red Sea, the area is currently under construction, but eventually it will become an “indoor city” made up of parallel skyscrapers.
It will also feature a 46,000-capacity stadium to be built 350 metres above the ground, with the city offering high-speed rail networks and advanced electric modes of transport. In fact, the venue that will reportedly “run entirely on renewable energy, generated primarily from wind and solar sources” will only be accessible by high-speed elevators and driverless vehicles.
“This new stadium will be the most unique in the world,” says the Saudibid2034 website.
“With a pitch that is more than 350 meters above the ground, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other. After the tournament, it will be home to a professional football club and the centerpiece of the city’s sporting and active lifestyle program.”
Another notable site that will be built in Riyadh is the Price Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium; a stadium with 45,000 seats that will be built into a cliff edge.
The stadium’s materials, including iridescent glass and shimmering metal, contribute to a futuristic aesthetic. It will be used in the group stage, round of 32, round of 16, and third place playoffs.
Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and home to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, will boast four proposed stadiums, including the Qiddiya Coast arena and its design evoking the ripple effect of a “Mexican wave”.
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the only candidate to host the 2034 World Cup in October last year, after Australia decided not to make a bid.