Saudi Sports Minister Says Kingdom Ready for 64-Team World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia has affirmed its readiness to host a 64-team FIFA World Cup in 2034, should FIFA decide to expand the tournament from its current 48-team format.

Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal expressed the Kingdom’s openness to the potential expansion.

“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing),” he said. “If FIFA thinks it’s a good decision, we’re more than happy to deliver on it.”

The proposal for a 64-team format was initially floated by South America's CONMEBOL for the 2030 edition and remains under discussion by football’s governing bodies. Saudi Arabia, which submitted its official bid for the 2034 tournament in December, is planning 15 new or renovated stadiums as part of its Vision 2030 initiative.

With over 100 international events already hosted, Saudi officials say the Kingdom is well-positioned to welcome the world, not just for the football, but for the full cultural experience.