October 15: Saudi Arabia is set to scrap five of the 15 stadiums included in the country’s plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to news platform Semafor.
The reasoning behind the elimination of the five stadiums is reportedly the costs associated with building the facilities.
The Public Investment Fund wants to abandon construction plans in the economic city of King Abdullah and the Qiddiya coast, both near Jeddah; Roshn and New Murabba in Riyadh, and NEOM.
Earlier this month, Reuters had revealed that plans for the NEOM Stadium on The Line, a linear city proposal that has struggled to move forward, have stalled. Work on The Line has stopped.
Saudi Arabia continues to move forward with the construction of the King Salman International Stadium and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh.
Funding cuts, however, could limit Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the 2034 World Cup to six new stadium builds and four renovations. Four of these venues will host first matches for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Qatar also dropped four planned stadiums ahead of hosting the 2022 World Cup. In eight years, Saudi Arabia is set to become the second Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup after FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino fast-tracked the Arab kingdom’s hosting rights.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made a push into soccer, spending heavily on the Saudi Pro League, acquiring Premier League club Newcastle United and injecting money into broadcaster DAZN during the Club World Cup era. But the Arab kingdom has withdrawn funding from LIV Golf and shelved plans for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which Trojena, a NEOM resort, was due to host.
Saudi Arabia is reviewing its priorities amid its fiscal situation and the current regional war. Riyadh airport has been closed after repeated strikes by the Houthis.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at (email protected)
