JEDDAH (Kashmir English): As FIFA has officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s Soccer World Cup, the Kingdom would be ready and willing to host even an expanded 64-team event in 2034, if the global soccer governing body accepts the expansion proposal.
The 2026 World Cup tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 four years back.
The decision to expand the tournament from 48 nations next year to 64 teams in 2034 solely lies with FIFA but the Kingdom is willing for hosting even an expanded 64-nation mega event, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.
South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal with 64 teams but the idea faced opposition from some other continental confederations.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of journalists at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034 event.
“Ready to host World Cup”
“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.
The minister pointed to the infrastructure already in place for the pilgrims, with four million devotees reaching Makkah for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for this year’s Hajj.
The Kingdom is rapidly developing further infrastructure with pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032.
