Riyadh, December 7, 2024 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Office has reaffirmed its full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™. This endorsement, announced ahead of the extraordinary FIFA Congress scheduled for December 11, comes as Saudi Arabia stands as the sole candidate to host the prestigious global tournament. The host nation for the 2034 World Cup will be decided at this congress, and the Kingdom’s bid is gaining significant momentum with the backing of regional football governing bodies.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa voiced his strong confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver a historic and successful World Cup. He stated, “We are fully satisfied with the Kingdom’s bid, which has achieved the highest rating in the history of World Cup hosting files. We trust the Kingdom to organize a tournament that will not only enhance the standing of the Asian continent on the international football stage, but also build on the remarkable success of Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup.”
These remarks were made during the AFC Executive Committee’s fifth meeting, chaired by Sheikh Salman via video conference, with committee members and AFC officials in attendance. The meeting focused not only on Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid but also reviewed several other important matters within Asian football.
The AFC Executive Committee discussed the ongoing process for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup, which officially began last week, with nations vying to host the prestigious competition. In addition, the committee approved key decisions regarding future AFC events, including confirming the dates and venues for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, as recommended by the AFC Women’s Football Committee during its meeting in November.
Furthermore, the AFC made several organizational changes during the meeting, including the appointment of former AFC First Vice President Praful Patel to the Board of Trustees of the AFC Dream Asia Foundation for a four-year term. This position will allow Patel to contribute to the foundation’s mission of promoting social change through football and supporting youth development initiatives across Asia.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is gaining momentum as a pivotal moment in Asian football, with the Kingdom positioning itself as a leader in the global sports arena. The Kingdom’s support from the AFC reflects its growing influence and determination to bring the World Cup to the region, building on the success of Qatar’s groundbreaking hosting of the 2022 edition. Should the bid be successful, Saudi Arabia is poised to create a lasting legacy for the sport in Asia and the Middle East, with far-reaching implications for the development of football across the continent.