Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi World Cup Bid, speaks at an interview at the Saudi Arabia Wolrd Cup bid exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
RIYADH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia is stepping onto the global stage with ambitions to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, reflecting readiness and enthusiasm rooted in its expanding sports infrastructure and passion for football, said Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi World Cup Bid, in an interview with Xinhua.
Saudi Arabia was awarded the right to host the 2034 World Cup at an Extraordinary FIFA Congress on Wednesday when Morocco, Portugal and Spain were chosen to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Albalawi emphasized Saudi Arabia's preparations and the synergy between sports and Vision 2030, the kingdom's transformative economic and social blueprint.
"We have great football, great tourism, great projects, and great infrastructure," he said.
"It means we are naturally positioned to host the biggest football tournament in the world. We very much look forward to 2034 and beyond."
Albalawi underscored the long-standing love of football among Saudis, which he said has been further nurtured by Vision 2030.
"All of this coming together means that we are achieving in all sectors, in sports and in football, more specifically," he remarked.
Saudi Arabia has shown growing influence in international sports after successfully hosting of major events. According to Albalawi, in 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed 27 million international visitors, including three million fans attending various international sporting events.
Albalawi highlighted Saudi Arabia's openness to global partnerships, particularly with China, a key player in infrastructure development. When asked about cooperation with Chinese firms, especially in building stadiums, Albalawi said, "The business is open for everyone, and Chinese investors are great at identifying the right opportunities. We will work with the best partners in the world to develop and execute this project in a way that satisfies the best global standards."
He praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and China, underscoring the significant role of Chinese investors in the kingdom's development.
Albalawi stressed that sustainability is a core pillar of Vision 2030 and central to World Cup preparations. The kingdom aims to ensure that World Cup preparations align with global environmental standards, making football accessible to all regions of the country.
He said the kingdom's strategic approach, supported by its commitment to excellence, demonstrates its readiness to deliver an unforgettable tournament that will leave a lasting legacy.
"We look forward to 2034 as a transformative moment, not just for Saudi Arabia but for the global football community," Albalawi concluded. ■
Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi World Cup Bid, speaks at an interview at the Saudi Arabia Wolrd Cup bid exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
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