This summer, there were various media reports that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece are talking to each other and plan to jointly apply to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
When SVT Sport interviews Ibrahim Alkassim, secretary general of the Saudi Arabian Football Association, he does not want to confirm that they will submit an official application.
But it is clear that there is a Saudi interest.
- The dream of all soccer countries is to organize the World Cup.
It is somewhat common to want such a large and prestigious event.
It's the same as with the Asian Women's Championship in 2026 (which Saudi Arabia has sought, eds note): It increases the speed of development, it shows your culture, your infrastructure, society and how far the country has come, he says, and continues:
- It is really something big for all countries around the world.
And in Saudi Arabia we have the passion, we have the infrastructure and the love for the sport.
But nothing official has happened.
Earlier this year, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile announced that they are bidding for the 2030 World Cup together.
Morocco has already announced that they will apply for the World Cup, and they too may do so together with another country.
Portugal, Spain and Ukraine also want to organize the WC together.