Saudi Arabia will be "ready" for all possibilities regarding the timing of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, whether it is summer or winter, according to SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal.
Hours after the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has become the only candidate to host the World Cup for the 2034 edition, just 27 days after the opening of the nomination door, Al-Misehal said, "Of course, we are ready for all possibilities, and today there are many new technologies that help you cool down or add air conditioners in stadiums."
"There are many cities in the Kingdom that have a very great atmosphere in the summer, but we will be ready for all eventualities," said Al-Misehal, 49.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, after the closing of the period for receiving applications.
Infantino wrote on his Instagram account that "the greatest World Cup on earth will be organized in Canada, Mexico and the United States (North America) in 2026, while Morocco (Africa), Portugal and Spain (Europe) will host the 2030 edition, with 3 festive matches held in South America (in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay), and in 2034 the tournament will be held in Asia, specifically in Saudi Arabia. We're talking about 10 countries and 5 continents hosting 3 World Cups, that's what makes football a truly global game."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gianni Infantino – FIFA President (@gianni_infantino)
Like the rest of the Gulf countries, most cities in Saudi Arabia, including the capital Riyadh, witness extreme heat in the summer, with temperatures ranging between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, but some cities in the Kingdom enjoy mild weather in summer, such as Abha, Taif and Al-Baha, which hosted the Arab Club Football Championship last summer.
However, the three moderate cities lack stadiums with international specifications and standards, with a capacity of only 10,20 to <>,<> spectators, while large stadiums are concentrated in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.
If Saudi Arabia is to host World Cup as expected, it will be the second edition in the history of the Gulf region just 12 years after neighboring Qatar hosted the 2022 edition last December.
Al-Misehal, who is also a member of the FIFA Council for Asia, confirmed that "the official final decision has not yet been issued, but the hosting will be for the Kingdom by 99%, since the Saudi file is the only one that has submitted or expressed the desire to submit a bid to host the 2034 World Cup."
"Al Misehal":
We're ready to host the World Cup in summer or winter, and we have the potential to cool the stadiums. pic.twitter.com/smLC1kUt0x
— Hashtag Saudi Arabia (@HashKSA) November 1, 2023
"As stipulated in the regulations approved by the FIFA Council, the FIFA administration will launch the bidding process to host the 2030 and 2034 editions of the World Cup, as well as an in-depth evaluation of the candidacy files, so that the host country(s) are expected to be announced during the FIFA Congress expected to be organized in the last quarter of 2024," FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA's announcement came just hours after Australia withdrew from the race to host the 2034 World Cup on the last day of the deadline to announce its intent to run, completely abandoning the stage to Saudi Arabia.
The President of the Saudi Federation pointed out that the Kingdom has passed the first step, "we still have intensive work to present a file worthy of the capabilities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the capabilities of the Arab world in general."
"The file will be submitted in July 2024, and then the decision of the General Assembly, as announced by FIFA, will come in the fourth quarter of next year for ratification and approval of granting the Kingdom the right to host," he said.
Single file and 125 support messages
In response to a question about whether Saudi Arabia will go alone with the hosting file, especially since the two editions that will precede 2034 will be organized with joint files (the United States of America, Canada and Mexico in 2026 / Spain, Portugal, and Morocco plus 3 matches in South America in 2030), Al-Misehal confirmed that "Saudi Arabia will submit a single file."
"The Kingdom is a big country and there are a large number of cities, and as we have seen our brothers in Qatar organize the 2022 World Cup in a very distinguished way, we will continue our efforts to present an exceptional edition," he added.
From next World Cup, the number of participating teams will increase to 48 from 32, while the number of matches will be increased to 104 from 64.
Al-Misehal also revealed to the SAFF website that "more than 125 football federations from around the world support the Saudi 2034 file," adding, "This indicates the great confidence granted to us by various countries."
"Our candidacy to host the 2034 World Cup embodies the Saudis' passion for football, and confirms our country's quest to achieve further progress and growth for this game," he said.
"This is what makes us affirm our commitment in the SAFF to meet all the requirements of FIFA to obtain the right to host."