Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup

As Saudi Arabia prepares for its World Cup debut in 2034, leveraging Qatar's experience offers a roadmap for maximizing the socio-economic benefits of the mega-event. These benefits span infrastructural overhauls, tourism booms, foreign investment attraction and long-term diversification of the economy.

Direct Benefits: Building the Foundations of Growth

Qatar’s World Cup demonstrated the catalytic power of infrastructure investment. To accommodate millions of visitors and global scrutiny, Qatar built eight new stadiums, a cutting-edge metro system, highways and urban hubs. While the capital expenditure—estimated at $220 billion—was extraordinary, the results reshaped Qatar’s economic landscape, aligning with its long-term development vision.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 mirrors this ambition. The Kingdom plans to construct 15 world-class stadiums, including flagship venues like the King Salman International Stadium, alongside infrastructure projects in Riyadh, Jeddah, and emerging cities like NEOM. Transport networks, including expanded airports and metro systems, will integrate disparate regions, creating a foundation for sustained urbanisation and economic activity.

These investments aren't limited to sports infrastructure. In Qatar, the World Cup expedited progress in housing, hospitality and public amenities. Similarly, Saudi Arabia's focus on developing 72 team base camp hotels and 60 venue-specific hotels will stimulate the real estate and hospitality sectors. Such infrastructure serves as a springboard for non-oil economic growth and future mega-events.

Indirect Benefits: A Multiplier Effect for the Economy

Beyond the physical infrastructure, hosting a World Cup generates indirect economic gains through tourism, foreign direct investment (FDI) and job creation. The 2022 World Cup drew 3.4 million visitors to Qatar, a figure expected to be surpassed in Saudi Arabia due to its strategic location—60% of the world’s population is within an eight-hour flight.

Saudi Arabia's tourism surge has already shown remarkable growth, with a 378% increase in international arrivals in 2022. By 2034, the World Cup will amplify this momentum, spotlighting destinations such as AlUla, NEOM and the Red Sea resorts. The resultant uptick in hotel occupancy, entertainment spending, and cultural exposure will create a multiplier effect, benefiting adjacent industries such as retail, food services and local entrepreneurship.

Investment is another linchpin. Qatar leveraged the World Cup to attract FDI into real estate, technology and renewable energy. Saudi Arabia, through its Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to position itself as a premier global investment hub. PIF’s strategic sports investments—such as stakes in Newcastle United and LIV Golf—underscore the Kingdom's commitment to aligning sports with economic diversification.

Job Creation: Building Human Capital

One of Qatar’s key lessons was the sheer scale of labour requirements. The World Cup drove employment across sectors, from construction to hospitality. Saudi Arabia projects the need for 150,000-200,000 skilled workers to execute its goals for 2034 . Vision 2030 already emphasises upskilling the Kingdom's workforce through initiatives like the Mahd Academy and Future Falcons program, fostering homegrown talent and reducing reliance on expatriates.

Moreover, these efforts extend to women’s inclusion in sports, which aligns with broader societal reforms. Saudi Arabia's nascent women’s football leagues will gain prominence, showcasing the Kingdom's progress on gender equality to a global audience.

The Long-Term Legacy: Sustainability and Diversification

Post-event economic sustainability is often a challenge for mega-events. Qatar’s World Cup stadiums, designed with modular elements, are now being repurposed for community and sports initiatives. Saudi Arabia's planners have proposed temporary overlays and multi-purpose facilities to avoid “white elephant” projects.

Crucially, the World Cup will serve as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy. Experts project that the event will significantly boost sectors like transportation, entertainment and technology, driving diversification goals. Additionally, the Kingdom’s efforts to expand e-sports, Formula 1 events and other global competitions reflect a long-term strategy to sustain momentum.

Socio-Cultural Integration: A Global Showcase

Beyond economics, hosting the World Cup allows nations to project a modern, progressive identity. Qatar leveraged the tournament to showcase its culture, innovation and resilience. Similarly, Saudi Arabia views 2034 as an opportunity to merge its rich heritage with a future-focused narrative. Mega sporting events act as a bridge, fostering cultural exchange and enhancing soft power diplomacy.

For Saudi Arabia, the 2034 FIFA World Cup isn’t just about football—it’s a strategic accelerator for Vision 2030. Qatar’s 2022 World Cup set a powerful precedent, demonstrating how mega-events can drive infrastructure development, economic diversification and global reputation enhancement.

Saudi Arabia’s preparations, already underway, are ambitious yet calculated. By focusing on infrastructure, job creation, sustainability and tourism, the Kingdom aims to transform short-term excitement into long-term prosperity. For a nation eager to lead the Middle East’s economic transformation, hosting the world’s most-watched event is more than a milestone—it’s a defining moment.