SAUDI ARABIA: While the bid faces concerns over the timing of the competition, it received the highest evaluation score in World Cup bidding history.

The report, set to be finalized when FIFA announces the 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts on December 11, indicates that Saudi Arabia could face an “elevated risk” in terms of event timing, especially with global leagues having to adjust their seasons. Nevertheless, FIFA downplayed timing concerns, noting that the final schedule would consider international match calendars and religious events like Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage.

This will make Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern country to host the prestigious event after Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.

The bid features ambitious plans for new stadiums, including a “stadium in the sky” in Neom, a city to be built 350 meters above the ground. However, these developments still pose “medium” risks according to the evaluation.