King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh
Featured image credit: Saudi 2027
FIFA has relaxed its World Cup bidding rules regarding existing stadiums in a move likely to assist Saudi Arabia’s 2034 hopes.
As the bidding process begins, football’s global governing body has decreased the number of existing stadiums required from seven to four. Saudi Arabia — which claims to already have the backing of more than 70 national federations within days of announcing its bid — already has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup, which it is hosting.
The Overview of the Bidding Process document states hopefuls must propose 14 venues in total, of which four must be existing. FIFA’s definition of “existing” is “currently in existence or currently under construction” or “requires renovation or reconstruction, whereby the main structural elements are preserved”. FIFA requires stadiums with a minimum capacity of 40,000 for the tournament, with key matches needing room for 60,000 and 80,000 spectators.
Having last week confirmed the 2030 hosts, FIFA has already allocated the 2034 competition to bidders from either Asia or Oceania. Saudi Arabia announced its intention to host the tournament within minutes of the process opening, while Australia is said to be “exploring the possibility” of a bid. Expressions of interest by potential hosts for 2034 must be lodged by October 31, 2023.
FIFA defended the changes to requirements, noting that the 2034 tournament is more than a decade away.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “The bidding regulations require FIFA to use the 2030 requirements as a base and adapt where appropriate and applicable to make them fit for purpose.
“The requirement for four existing stadiums for the 2034 edition factors in the significantly longer lead-in time to the tournament and guards against infrastructure being more out of date, making allowance for having the best quality possible.”
Successful bid
Saudi Arabia’s successful bid proposal for the 2027 Asian Cup included four stadiums of 40,000 capacity or more. These include two in Riyadh that are being upgraded, one in Jeddah and a new build in Dammam. Jeddah will host this year’s FIFA Club World Cup in December.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will take place in six countries spanning three continents after FIFA confirmed that the bulk of games will be held in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to host “celebratory” matches during the tournament.
The men’s World Cup will expand to a 48-team tournament in 2026, when the US, Canada and Mexico will co-host.
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