Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has officially launched its campaign to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 under the slogan Growing. Together. This announcement follows the submission of an official letter of intent and a signed declaration to FIFA, marking a significant step in Saudi Arabia's aspiration to host the 48-team tournament for the first time as a single nation.

The campaign reflects the nation's dynamic development and the potential impact of hosting the World Cup on international football and the event itself. The bid is built on three foundational pillars — Growing People. Together., Growing Football. Together., and Growing Connections. Together — emphasize the intertwined growth of the country, its people, and the global football community.

Over the past six years, Saudi Arabia has been a prominent host for over 100 international events across nearly 40 sports, fostering active football partnerships with over 100 countries.

Yasser Al Misehal, President of SAFF, stressed the importance of sharing Saudi Arabia's football narrative with the world, highlighting the country's progressive advancements in football for both men and women.

The bid's logo, featuring intertwined ribbons that form the number '34' and outline the country's map, symbolizes Saudi Arabia's youthful spirit, cultural richness, and diversity. The logo's colors — Desert Amber, Oasis Green, Radiance Red, Rich Lavender, and Sunrise Yellow — represent various facets of Saudi heritage and aspirations.

A short film accompanying the bid showcases the Kingdom's football passion, cultural diversity, and scenic landscapes, narrated by Layan Jouhari, a midfielder for the Saudi women's national team, and scored by Saudi music giant, MDLBEAST.

With the establishment of a dedicated bid unit, led by Hammad Albalawi, SAFF aims to present a compelling case to FIFA, drawing on the support of over 130 Member Associations. The bid reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment under Vision 2030 to harness sports for national development and global engagement, as demonstrated by the successful hosting of the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah in December 2023.

This bid encapsulates Saudi Arabia's journey toward becoming a central figure in global sports, leveraging the universal language of football to unite people, cultures, and nations in celebration of shared growth and prosperity.