RIYADH: World leaders have been congratulating Saudi Arabia as the international governing body of football, FIFA, officially ratified the Kingdom as the host of the World Cup 2034.
The Saudi bid was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino.
The FIFA Extraordinary Congress meeting also confirmed Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as hosts of the 2030 World Cup with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay staging celebratory games.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday extended the heartiest congratulations to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Arabia for winning the right to host FIFA World 2034.
In his post on social media platform X, PM Shehbaz said this landmark achievement is a befitting recognition of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports and its commitment to Vision 2030.
The Prime Minister said he looks forward to a spectacular tournament.
Saudi Arabia will become the second Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament after Qatar staged the tournament in 2022.
Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, who is also the chairman of the executive office of the Arab Youth and Sports Ministers Council has congratulated Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal on Saudi Arabia’s winning its bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Dr. Sobhy expressed pride in this achievement, emphasising that it strengthens the Arab world’s presence on the international sports map.
Meanwhile, Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Saudi Arabia’s winning bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan in his message said Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this major global event is a source of pride and honour for Jordan and all Arab countries, and an embodiment of Saudi Arabia’s distinguished position, praising the efforts of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in this success, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Meanwhile, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman in his message commended Saudi Arabia’s considerable efforts in preparing to host this global sporting event.
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that the victory represents a major achievement for Arab sports and further adds to Saudi Arabia’s list of accomplishments.
Yemen’s President Rashad Al-Alimi said that the members of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic, the government, and the people of Yemen congratulate the Saudi leadership on achieving this honour.
Al-Alimi lauded the ambitious Saudi bid to host the 2034 World Cup, which received the highest-ever score in FIFA World Cup history, and the well-deserved victory to host the world’s most prestigious football tournament.
