Saudi Arabia has revealed plans for a grand stadium building project to accommodate the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The project includes a futuristic city with a 46,000-seat stadium in the Neom megaproject along the Red Sea coast, designed to be one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. The Neom stadium will be connected to a network of tram-like vehicles at various heights above the ground.
In addition to the Neom stadium, there will be a stadium located atop a 200-meter cliff near the capital Riyadh, featuring an entire wall of LED screens with panoramic city views. Riyadh is slated to have eight out of 15 stadiums with a minimum of 45,000 seats, with other venues planned for cities like Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
The construction project for the World Cup in Saudi Arabia is expected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. Similar to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, which raised concerns about labor laws and working conditions, Saudi Arabia may face scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, a driving force behind the Vision 2030 plan, emphasized the goal of providing a diverse tourism, cultural, and sports experience in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 48-team tournament, with FIFA confirming the final decision later this year. FIFA now requires host nations to have a human rights strategy for the tournament, and Saudi Arabia’s bid document pledges engagement with state agencies and international organizations to ensure fair wages and working conditions for all involved in the World Cup preparations.
