Taking Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034 from ambition to reality

It should focus on multipurpose, practical stadiums that serve communities long after the final whistle

By Alexey Milovanov

December 13, 2024, 3:50 PM

Fans celebrate as Saudi Arabia is announced as the host nation for the Fifa World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia has taken on a monumental challenge with its winning bid for the 2034 Fifa World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event.

Hosting the cup represents more than just a football tournament. It is the kingdom’s chance to rewrite its sporting history and show the world that it can achieve something extraordinary.

The World Cup is always more than just a series of matches. It’s a global event that transforms nations, driving development in infrastructure, the economy and tourism. For Saudi Arabia it’s also an opportunity to establish itself as a modern, ambitious and open nation.

The country has announced plans to build 15 stadiums. And if you think these are just sports venues, think again. Each stadium is envisioned as a future architectural marvel designed to impress the world.

But behind this grandeur lies a harsh reality: the kingdom’s limited domestic resources mean it will need to rely heavily on imported materials, technology and expertise – a significant challenge for a country determined to showcase its self-sufficiency.

And here’s the question: does Saudi Arabia need to construct all of its stadiums as art installations? The history of World Cups in other host nations teaches us that functionality in sports infrastructure far outweighs architectural extravagance.

Building “iconic” arenas that turn into empty symbols of ambition a few years later is a mistake Saudi Arabia can avoid. Instead, the focus should be on creating multipurpose, practical stadiums that serve communities long after the final whistle.

If you think this World Cup will resemble the previous ones, think again. For the first time, 48 teams will compete in a single host country.

Consider the scale of this endeavour.

It’s not just about organising matches – it’s about managing logistics, ensuring safety and creating positive memories for hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The World Cup’s expanded format will debut in 2026, but the burden will be shared across three countries – the US, Canada and Mexico. In 2030, the tournament will span five countries.

Saudi Arabia, however, has chosen to shoulder the responsibility alone. Frankly, that’s as impressive as it is daring.

To meet this challenge, the kingdom must tackle obvious tasks such as developing transport networks and expanding hotel capacity. But it must also focus on what will remain after the tournament.

Thoughtfully designed stadiums, tailored to the real needs of local communities, could set a benchmark for future host nations.

Of course, some scepticism is justified. Some will raise concerns about human rights, others about environmental issues. These topics are always part of the conversation leading up to major sporting events.

But let’s be honest: the noise will fade, while the legacy will remain. The focus should be on solving practical challenges and turning ambitious plans into lasting achievements that will serve the people well beyond the final match.

For football fans, the World Cup is a celebration. For the host country, it’s a test. But for Saudi Arabia, the colossal sports event represents something greater. It’s a chance to change how the world sees the kingdom, to prove that it can lead – not just in the Middle East, but on the global stage.

At its core the World Cup is about people. It’s about the millions of fans who will come to the kingdom in search of a footballing celebration and how Saudi Arabia will rise to meet their expectations.

Alexey Milovanov is founder of Stadium Management Consulting. He worked at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia and the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, where he oversaw the delivery of temporary event infrastructure for eight stadiums