The news that Saudi Arabia had been awarded the 2034 World Cup was met with a mixed reaction across the soccer world.
On one hand, the country’s bright new venues and major infrastructure could make for an extremely well-run event; on the other, the country’s poor human rights record and stringent laws may have raised moral questions among fans.
With these factors in mind, what exactly can we expect from the second Middle Eastern World Cup? Let’s peer into the footballing crystal ball and try to see what could happen in 2034.
World-class venues
The 2034 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across five Saudi Arabian cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
A total of 15 stadiums, 11 of which are new constructions, will be used, but the centerpiece is surely the 92,000-capacity King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, set to host the opening and final matches. Beyond its sporting function, the stadium will feature premium amenities like a 150-seat Royal Suite, luxurious hospitality suites, and dedicated seating for VIPs, serving as a crucial piece of the jigsaw for Saudi Vision 2030.
Other key venues include the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah and the Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar. Two FIFA Fan Festivals will be established in each host city, while the group draw will take place at the innovative Line Convention Center within the ambitious Neom development.
While the country has never hosted a sporting event on this scale before, organizers expect the venues to be of a world-class standard, capable of rivaling any sports facility in the world.
A near-complete ban on alcohol and gambling
It didn’t take long for Saudi authorities to make their stance on drinking clear following the announcement. Senior FIFA sources confirmed to the Guardian that there would be no alcohol sales at all within the game venues, while alcohol remains forbidden across the country and has been since 1952.
This prohibition will almost certainly extend to gambling. Currently, all forms of sports betting and casino games are outlawed, to the point that even playing on a website risks incurring serious punishment.
The Qatar World Cup in 2022 was a taster of how this feels for travelling football fans. There, fans witnessed a last-minute ban on alcohol sales within stadium perimeters, sparking controversy at the time. Gambling was also banned, in line with national laws.
While not the primary focus for many fans, who are there for the sport rather than other forms of entertainment, these rules reflect the challenges faced by Saudi Arabia in balancing its cultural identity with the demands of a global sporting event.
Today’s young stars at their peak
The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia should see today’s soccer prodigies at their peak. Lamine Yamal, for example, will still only be 27 by the time the tournament starts, at which point he’s likely to have won several major trophies, either with Barcelona or another top club side.
His colleagues Gavi and Pedri will both be 30, with the trio likely to still be at the heart of the Spanish national team.
Jude Bellingham, already England’s key player, will be 31 and eager to win silverware as his career draws to a close. Other top players likely to feature are Germany’s Jamal Musiala, also 31 at that point, Arda Güler (29) of Turkey, and France’s Eduardo Camavinga (32).
The Saudi World Cup will be their stage, a chance to etch their names in footballing folklore forever.
Will it be a success?
A successful Saudi World Cup will come down to two important factors: players’ fitness in the middle of a club season (the tournament will likely take place during the European winter), and how fans fare with the country’s rules and infrastructure.
Qatar proved that the first factor can have an effect. Players visibly appeared more tired in the final stages of the tournament and there was a rise in injuries once they returned to club football. If FIFA can learn from this lesson and introduce a longer break or special treatment for players, then they may avoid a repeat.
The second issue may be more difficult to negotiate. Some fans struggled with the tough regulations in Qatar and argued that they were against the festival spirit of the tournament. Saudi Arabia, however, will possibly adapt to these concerns and provide designated zones for traveling fans. Their infrastructure, too, will have had more investment ploughed into it than in Qatar, so comfort in getting around shouldn’t be too much of a concern for visitors.
As always with these major tournaments, though, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. FIFA organizers won’t know just how successful the tournament is until it draws to a close just before the holiday season of 2034.
The post The Saudi World Cup in 2034: What Can We Expect? appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
