What to expect from Saudi Arabia’s 2030 FIFA World Cup bid

Saudi plans to make a $40 billion joint bid with Egypt and Greece.

It is not long now until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicks off. If one football tournament isn’t enough for you, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there may be one more in the Middle East. It has been reported that Saudi Arabia is planning to bid for the 2030 FIFAWorld Cup. If the kingdom’s bid is accepted, this would be the biggest sporting event to take place in the country. 

Saudi Arabia plans to make a joint bid with Egypt and Greece, and serve as co-hosts for 2030 FIFA World Cup. Saudi intends to be the lead partner in the $40 billion bid, and pay for the infrastructure costs in the other two countries. In its bid, Saudi intends for the majority of the games to be staged in the kingdom, including the final knockout rounds. 

If Saudi Arabia’s bid is accepted, the tournament would take place in the winter to avoid the extreme summer temperatures. The timings of the tournament would be similar to the upcoming event in Qatar, which begins on 20 November and runs until 18 December. 

FIFA, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece have not made an official comment on the bid. The current favourite is a joint bid from Spain and Portugal. It is reported that the United Kingdom and Ireland have been considering making a bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, but they have now set their sights on Euro 2028. 

Saudi Arabia has had experience staging global sporting events, as it previously held the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021 and the much-anticipated boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in 2022. The country is also hosting Saudi Games 2022 from 27 October to 7 November. Plus, Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Arena has hosted sporting events across football and WWE. Can Saudi kick it?

GO: Visit www.fifa.com for more information.