In order to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia was the only football association that came up with a bid before the deadline ended, football's global governing body said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Earlier, FIFA asked for bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by October 31, and Saudi Arabia declared that they would bid only moments after the announcement on October 4.
On Tuesday, Australia stated that they would not present a bid to host the mega event and as a result, Saudi Arabia was the only candidate who left for the bid.
"As established in the Bidding Regulations approved by the FIFA Council, the FIFA administration will conduct thorough bidding and evaluation processes for the 2030 and 2034 editions of the FIFA World Cup, with the hosts to be appointed by FIFA Congresses expected to take place by Q4 2024," FIFA said.
Saudi FA President Yasser Al Misehal said that the federation is fully dedicated to meeting all the demands of FIFA in order to host the World Cup.
"All members of the Saudi football family are doing their best to achieve the dream of the Saudis male and females to see the World Cup in the Kingdom for the first time," he said on social media platform X.
"We believe in the great power of Football to inspire future generations and we hope World Cup 2034 contributes to the development of the game throughout the world."
FIFA also said that the only confirmation of interest in organising the 2030 World Cup came from Morocco, Portugal, and Spain with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting celebratory games. FIFA declared that the collective bid of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal would organise the 2030 World Cup after the completion of a successful bidding process.