Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Achieves Highest Evaluation Score

FIFA has announced the results of its Bid Evaluation Report of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, with the bid receiving 419.8 out of 500, the highest-ever score in history. The announcement comes with less than two weeks to go until the official awarding of the FIFA World Cup hosts for 2030 and 2034, due to be held on December 11.

As part of the bidding process, the football governing body conducted an inspection visit last month to review the details of Saudi Arabia’s bid, where they visited proposed host cities, stadiums, and facilities across the tournament footprint. The country officially submitted its bid in July under the slogan "Growing. Together", unveiling its ambitious plans to host the world’s first 48-team FIFA World Cup to be held in one country. The bid proposes matches across 15 stadiums in five host cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, in addition to 10 other host locations across Saudi Arabia. 

"Saudi Arabia is a footballing nation with a young population that truly love the game. Young people are looking to a bright future. This score by FIFA simply reflects our commitment to grow the game, our rapid transformation and our desire to host the best possible tournament for the entire world to enjoy," said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.