Saudi Arabia’s official World Cup 2034 bid book published

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Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s official World Cup 2034 bid book published

  • Titled ‘Growing Together,’ the official bid’s slogan has received support from the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
  • ‘Together, we are working toward materializing Saudi Arabia’s dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup into a tangible reality,’ says Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal

RIYADH: FIFA revealed on Wednesday the details of the book of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the largest-ever edition of a FIFA World Cup to be held in a single country.
The unveiling came after the Kingdom’s FIFA World Cup 2034 official bid book submission during an official FIFA ceremony that was held in Paris on Monday.
Titled “Growing Together,” the official bid’s slogan has received full support from the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It outlines Saudi Arabia’s extensive plans and infrastructure projects while reflecting the Kingdom’s historic transformation.


Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the minister of sport and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: “Together we are working toward materializing Saudi Arabia’s dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup into a tangible reality — as outlined within our official bid book.”
He expressed appreciation to the Saudi leadership for its unlimited support of the Kingdom’s sports sector, and the crown prince for his continuous guidance and significant empowerment over Saudi Arabia’s official FIFA World Cup 2034 bid.
The official bid book provides the Kingdom’s plan to stage one of the world’s largest and most important sporting events, the FIFA World Cup.

Prince Abdulaziz, speaking on the official bid book’s publication, said: “These plans will combine our rich football heritage with our deep passion for the game and will ensure Saudi Arabia’s success as the first nation to host a 48-team tournament in one country.”
Yasser Al-Misehal, the president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “It is a moment that marks the natural step in the journey of developing Saudi Arabia’s football and sports sectors.”
He described the bid submission as a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabian football and expressed confidence that the bid would capture the global football community’s attention and inspire future generations.


He told Arab News: “Fans will have the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia’s diverse locales, from the coastal cities of Jeddah and Alkhobar to the vibrant heart of the desert in Riyadh. They will experience our culture and hospitality firsthand.”
The Kingdom’s football scene has evolved significantly, and Al-Misehal said: “We now have a women’s national team, and that contributes to the country’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in sports.”
He added that the federation would soon hold a press conference detailing the national team’s preparations and developments.
He went on to describe the submission of the formal bid book and the unveiling of the Kingdom’s plans as a significant historic moment for Saudi Arabia.


Al-Misehal expressed the hope that the Kingdom’s plans would excite football fans worldwide and inspire them for generations to come.
Prince Abdulaziz led the SAFF delegation which submitted the formal bid book at the ceremony in Paris.
Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and NEOM will be the five cities proposed to host the tournament. The cities will feature 15 stadiums, including 11 currently being planned.


Riyadh would be home to eight stadiums for the World Cup matches, including the King Salman Stadium, scheduled for completion in 2029, which will accommodate over 92,000 spectators and would host the opening and final matches of the tournament. It will become the new home ground for the Saudi national team.
In addition, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh is scheduled to be a remarkable architectural marvel with triple-tiered stands and a stunning view of one of the Tuwaiq cliffs.
Riyadh also includes King Fahd Sports City Stadium, which is set to be refurbished to the highest global standards. The arena is expected to accommodate 70,000 spectators.


The Jeddah Central Development Stadium will feature an architectural design inspired by the area’s local heritage and traditional wooden architecture from the historic Al-Balad, while the coastal King Abdullah Sports City Stadium will feature a natural design inspired by the Red Sea’s coral reefs.
The Aramco Stadium in Alkhobar will be situated on the Arabian Gulf coast and will feature a dynamic design inspired by the sea while, in Abha, King Khalid University Stadium is set to undergo an expansion to increase its capacity to over 45,000 during the tournament.


Meanwhile, NEOM Stadium is expected to be one of the most distinctive, and iconic, stadiums in the world. The arena will be situated within The Line and will provide an unprecedented experience for fans. The stadium will also run entirely on renewable energy, generated primarily from wind and solar sources.
Leveraging the Kingdom’s diverse and picturesque geography, the hosting plan also includes 10 other host locations scheduled to be the home of some of the training camps for participating teams.
Saudi Arabia would have more than 230,000 rooms available across the five host cities, in line with FIFA requirements. These rooms would cater to VIPs, FIFA delegations, participating teams, media personnel, and fans.


A total of 132 training venues located across 15 cities are proposed as base camps for the 48 teams, including 72 locations designated for Base Camp Training Sites, with referees scheduled to have access to two Referee Base Camp Training Sites.
The official bid book outlines the 10 proposed FIFA Fan Festival sites in the Kingdom. FIFA will select one site in each host city from a list that includes King Salman Park in Riyadh, which is set to become the world’s largest urban park.


Other sites include the Jeddah Waterfront on the Red Sea; the Al Bihar Square in Abha; the marina within The Line project in NEOM; and King Abdullah Park in Alkhobar.
Should the Kingdom be granted the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, it would rank among the most-watched sporting events in history, while providing an unforgettable experience for all.


Man City climb to third as De Bruyne sinks Wolves

Updated 1 min 59 sec ago
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Man City climb to third as De Bruyne sinks Wolves

MANCHESTER: Manchester City moved closer to qualifying for the Champions League as Kevin De Bruyne sealed a vital 1-0 win against Wolves on Friday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are embroiled in a tense battle for a top five finish in the Premier League and De Bruyne lifted them to third place with his first half strike at the Etihad Stadium.
For just the second time in a turbulent campaign, City have reeled off five successive wins in all competitions.
It was a major boost to City’s hopes of securing a place in Europe’s elite club competition.
“We are better than we were weeks ago. If we play like we did today, it is really good but we cannot relax. Winning in that way is good because it will make us realize that we still need to work,” Guardiola said.
After 10 years with City, it was De Bruyne’s penultimate appearance at the Etihad after the midfielder was told he will not get a new contract when his present deal expires at the end of the season.
It was only the sixth goal this season for the 33-year-old Belgian, underlining why Guardiola has decided to release him after an injury-plagued decline over the last two years.
But De Bruyne’s contribution could be crucial for City, who have three matches left and hold a four-point advantage over sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who play their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Fourth-placed Newcastle and fifth-placed Chelsea also have a game in hand over City heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
Hinting he could stay in the Premier League after leaving City, De Bruyne said. “A lot of teammates have said that it’s sad I have to go, but that’s just how it goes sometimes in life.
“I don’t know what the future will be, but I know that I can still play here. I try to play as much good football as I can. I’m still enjoying it.”
Guardiola saluted De Bruyne, saying: “Just thank you. His contribution in the game against Crystal Palace when we were 2-0 down and he delivers, and today the goal again.
“I want the best for Kevin. It cannot be possible to have done these many years without him.
“He has been an incredible player but the situation is what it is. It’s almost impossible to replace this kind of player.”
Even qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace will not salvage the season in Guardiola’s eyes after their four-year reign as English champions came to a limp end.
Surrendering the title to Liverpool was bad enough, but missing out on a place in the Champions League for the first time since 2010-11 would be a complete catastrophe and this result kept them on course to avoid that fate.
Guardiola sprang a surprise by naming Erling Haaland as an unused substitute as the Norway striker returned ahead of schedule from the ankle injury he suffered at Bournemouth in March.
Wolves arrived buoyed by six successive top-flight victories for the first time since 1970-71 and their confidence was clear after such a successful streak.
Not for the first time this season, City were creaking at the back.
They rode their luck to escape as Rayan Ait-Nouri fired against the post from close-range before his effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol.
Guardiola’s men recovered their composure and the breakthrough came in the 35th minute with the kind of flowing move that has been City’s trademark in De Bruyne’s decade in Manchester.
Ilkay Gundogan made a break from midfield and slipped his pass to Jeremy Doku, who deftly eluded his marker before pulled the ball back to the unmarked De Bruyne.
Having cleverly found space just inside the Wolves area, De Bruyne held his nerve to slot past Jose Sa, a finish that showed City what they will miss next season.
Wolves still carried a threat and Matheus Cunha rattled the post with a stinging strike from the edge of the area in the second half.


Guardiola clarifies comments about taking a break from managing football

Updated 02 May 2025
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Guardiola clarifies comments about taking a break from managing football

  • The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton
  • “Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola has vowed to take a break from football when his time at Manchester City is over, but stifled speculation that he is leaving the club any time soon in a pre-game interview on Friday.
Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension with City in November, raised eyebrows when he told ESPN Brasil: “I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
“Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“But I’m saying when I finish my time here, I don’t know in one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, six years — I don’t know — I will take a break. I won’t retire but I will take a break, for sure.”
City had kicked off the season hoping to win a record-fifth successive Premier League title, but the team has had a rough season and were fourth in the table before Friday night’s game, 21 points behind Liverpool who clinched the title last weekend.
“Do you know what it means in football to have a two-year contract for managers? It’s an eternity!” Guardiola told Sky at Etihad Stadium.
“What I’m saying is when I finish here, I will take a break. I need to make a stop, that’s all. But still we are here to beat Wolves.”


Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot as Dortmund welcome Wolfsburg

Updated 02 May 2025
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Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot as Dortmund welcome Wolfsburg

  • Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth
  • “We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said

BERLIN: Resurgent Borussia Dortmund will seek the help of their crowd as the 12th man when they host mid-table Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga with a Champions League spot within reach after a difficult campaign, manager Niko Kovac said on Friday.
Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth, three points behind Freiburg who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s match at the 81,365-capacity Westfalenstadion.
“The game is very important. We’re focusing on our opponents, because we’re dependent on the other teams and we have to do our homework ... It’s about showing the same energy as in the last few games.
“If we play our game like we have in recent weeks, I’m convinced that we can unleash a force with the crowd that Wolfsburg will find difficult to counter.”
Dortmund have taken 13 points from their last five games to climb the table and have three games left to salvage their campaign.
If not the Champions League, they can still qualify for the Europa League, with RB Leipzig in fifth — a point above Dortmund.
Kovac also managed Wolfsburg between 2022 and 2024 and the Croatian is wary of the Lower Saxony side, even though Dortmund have a superb record against them at home.
Dortmund have not lost in their last 11 Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg, winning nine. Wolfsburg have scored just one goal at Westfalenstadion since the 2016-17 season.
“They’re dangerous from set pieces and in transition. We have to be careful there,” Kovac said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone (at Wolfsburg) again but we also know the importance of the game. Friendships will be put aside for 90 minutes.”


PSG’s injured Dembele to miss Strasbourg trip, eyeing return for Arsenal

Updated 02 May 2025
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PSG’s injured Dembele to miss Strasbourg trip, eyeing return for Arsenal

  • Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions
  • “Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters

PARIS: Paris St. Germain forward Ousmane Dembele will miss their Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg with a hamstring strain, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday as the French side look to have him back for next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal.
Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions and also netted the winner in their 1-0 first leg victory at Arsenal, but the 27-year-old came off in the 70th minute, going straight down the tunnel with an apparent injury.
PSG confirmed he had a hamstring strain and that his “condition is progressing well,” with further assessments to be conducted in the coming days.
“Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters, while also declining to confirm if he will rotate his squad with the Ligue 1 title already in the bag.
“We’re going to do what we’ve been doing up to now, with the same idea. Nothing has changed.
“The most important thing is that every minute spent wearing the PSG jersey is useful for matches in other competitions.”
PSG lost their chance to go an entire league season unbeaten when they suffered a 3-1 defeat by Nice last weekend.
Luis Enrique’s side can still finish the season unbeaten on the road but the Spaniard has no interest in that record as they prepare to face Arsenal on Wednesday and Reims in the French Cup final later this month.
“It’s a match we’re preparing for in the Champions League, in the Coupe de France, not for the unbeaten record,” he said.
“It would be great to win the match in Strasbourg, but the motivation is to prepare for the Champions League match, not to break an unbeaten record.”
PSG have fallen in the Champions League knockout stages in recent years and have the opportunity to return to the final for only the second time as they chase a treble.
“We want to achieve this objective of playing this final, but there is still the semifinal second leg,” said Luis Enrique, who previously won the treble coaching Barcelona.
“There is not much time to rest, you have to manage all of this. We, the coaches, go for the best. I’ve been a top-level coach for several years and it’s part of the job.”


Mahrez calls on Al-Ahli to embrace opportunity in Asian Champions League final

Updated 02 May 2025
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Mahrez calls on Al-Ahli to embrace opportunity in Asian Champions League final

  • “When you play in this type of competition you are ready to win, especially when you play at home,” said Mahrez
  • “We have a good opportunity to bring the first Champions League to Al-Ahli”

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez has called on his teammates to avoid complacency as the Saudi Pro League side look to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time on Saturday with victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
The Jeddah-based club, who have the advantage of playing the final in front of their own fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, will be making a third attempt to lift the trophy after final defeats in 1986 and 2012.
But while a squad boasting high-profile signings such as Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney and Franck Kessie will go into the decider as favorites, the Algeria winger emphasized the need to embrace the opportunity provided by the occasion.


“When you play in this type of competition you are ready to win, especially when you play at home,” said Mahrez.
“We have a good opportunity to bring the first Champions League to Al-Ahli and we will give everything.
“Of course the opponent is not an opponent that we play every week, it’s from Japan and it’s a different team. We have seen them play and we know what approach we can have.
“The most important is to give everything and to enjoy it because maybe some people think finals are every season, but some people might only play one final in their career. So we have to give everything to win the trophy for Al-Ahli.”
Mahrez, 34, is no stranger to success, having been part of the Manchester City side that won the treble of UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in 2023 as well as four other English league titles, including with Leicester City in 2016.
He was also a key part of Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations success in 2019 but is looking to claim his first silverware since switching to Al-Ahli from City last year.
“This is a trophy in another continent, in Asia,” said Mahrez, who has scored nine times in the competition so far.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in teams that have won a lot of trophies with big players. When you play, any trophy, any cup you play for is always exciting.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I really want to win a trophy with this team, this club and I’ll give everything tomorrow.”