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<p>Billed as one of the fastest and most exciting growth stories in world football, <a href="www.saudi2034bid.com" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia has launched an exciting, ambitious bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup</a> as they aim to host the first ever 48-team tournament in a single country.</p><p>The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 2030 tournament is slated for a globe-trotting journey, as Morocco, Spain and Portugal share hosting duties, while games will also be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Saudi Arabia is aiming to win the bid for 2034 and have set out a "bold and exciting blueprint".</p><p>Here, <strong>GOAL </strong>guides you through their innovative plan to bring the FIFA World Cup back to the Middle East.</p>

FIFA World Cup 2034: Exploring Saudi Arabia's 'bold and exciting blueprint' for football's greatest show in 10 years' time

<p>As per Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the bid is designed to "grow" the sport sector in the Kingdom. </p><p>He outlines in the bid book: "The bid is based primarily on a desire for growth; growth of people, football and connections around the world. Hosting the FIFA World Cup is an important step in the growth journey of the sport sector in the Kingdom, which has witnessed great developments and success in recent years. </p><p>"This has contributed to consolidating its position as an international destination for the most prominent sport events. Hosting the FIFA World Cup will culminate the Kingdom's efforts in the sector." </p><p>To further emphasise the point, the slogan for the bid is "Growing. Together."</p>

Desire for growth

<p>Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations for global sport, and has hosted over 100 international events - from boxing to snooker; Formula One to tennis - since 2018.</p><p>Sixty per cent of the world's population is within an eight hour flight of the country. This will be a compact tournament - for teams, fans, officials and media - all connected by air, sea, road and rail as part of an integrated and modern transportation system.</p><p>Over 3,300 flights take place weekly between the host cities - Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM - with average flight times of under two hours.</p>

A global hub

<p>At the heart of its bid, Saudi Arabia will build on the country's momentum behind social reform, as well as environmental sustainability.</p><p>They explain: "Through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia champions environmental advocacy on the national and regional stages. The Saudi Green Initiative, together with Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Middle East Green Initiative, unite environmental protection, energy transition, and sustainability programs to protect the land and sea."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-F-rfpOO6l/?igsh=MW1ydHI1aTVjbTRtaA==" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In addition, they are aiming to leave a lasting football legacy by constructing team and refereeing training facilities. The proposal comprises 61 existing facilities and 73 that are already planned to be built.</p><p>Across Saudi Arabia, there will be 134 training sites, 72 team base camp training sites, 60 venue-specific training sites and two referee base camp training sites in Riyadh. There will also be four refurbishments of existing stadia, with three stadia already under construction, and eight in the pipeline.</p>

A legacy of positive change

<p>Saudi Arabia is a football-loving nation and makes a promise that every supporter will be able to "celebrate and share the extraordinary spectacle of the tournament, from first kick-off to final whistle". There will be seamless entry into the country if fans are jetting in from abroad, as well as accommodation that can suit every budget.</p><p>Saudi Arabia have also championed their Pro League (SPL), which features the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema, helping broadcast revenues treble last season. The SPL is now beamed to over 150 countries and by 2034, aims to have become recognised as one of the top leagues in the world.</p><p>Find out more by visiting <a href="https://www.saudi2034bid.com/" target="_blank">www.saudi2034bid.com</a> or follow the journey <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saudi2034bid?igsh=MW55cWJocHR2cHZhaQ==" target="_blank">@Saudi2034Bid</a></p>

Fans at the heart

FIFA World Cup 2034: Exploring Saudi Arabia's 'bold and exciting blueprint' for football's greatest show in 10 years' time | Goal.com

Saudi Arabia has launched an exciting bid for the 2034 World Cup, as they aim to host the first ever 48-team tournament in a single country. 