Arab support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host 2034 World Cup

Ibrahim Al-Kassen / Anatolia

Arab countries, organizations and federations have confirmed their support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

It has appeared in official statements by Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Mauritania and Palestine, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

In addition to the Asian Confederation, football federations in the Emirates, Iraq and Palestine also issued similar statements of support and endorsement.

On Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced his country’s intention to bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

The International Football Confederation (FIFA) announced on Wednesday that the 2034 World Cup will move to Asia and Oceania, and called on all local sports federations in the two continents to submit their bids to host the World Cup. .

Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz said: “The Kingdom’s announcement of its intention to host the 2034 World Cup is an important and natural step in our journey as a football-minded nation.

The Saudi minister emphasized, “Through its intention to propose hosting the 2034 World Cup, the Kingdom is keen to provide an unprecedented experience to everyone around the world.”

** Continued Arabic support

On Thursday, Kuwait, in a statement from its foreign ministry, said it “gives its full support to Saudi Arabia’s efforts and efforts to embrace this competition, which reflects the comprehensive revival achieved by the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.”

In a Foreign Ministry statement on Thursday, Mauritania expressed its support for the kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, saying, “Saudi Arabia’s confident success in organizing this major global event will add to the kingdom’s great achievements. .”

In a statement from its foreign ministry, Jordan confirmed its “support for Saudi Arabia in its efforts to secure this opportunity and its absolute confidence that Saudi Arabia has the ability to efficiently host this major global football event.”

President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed the Palestinian Authority’s support for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup in a cable to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Palestinian News Agency reported on Thursday. .

On Wednesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry statement confirmed its support for the kingdom’s candidacy, “hoping that Saudi efforts will culminate in winning the right to host a major international football event”.

The state of Qatar, which last hosted the 2022 World Cup, pointed to “the high capabilities the Kingdom enjoys in various fields and its full competence to organize the event”.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Sultanate of Oman expressed its support to Saudi Arabia in its bid to host the 2034 World Cup and its full support for its bid to host the tournament.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman confirmed that this option is a reflection of the comprehensive revitalization of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries by helping them host various international sporting events.

In a statement from its foreign ministry, Bahrain expressed its “full support to Saudi Arabia in its efforts to organize this World Cup”.

At the level of institutions and organizations, the secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaywi, announced his support for the kingdom’s candidacy to host the World Cup, wishing the Saudi leadership and people “all the best and success. It hosts the tournament.”

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation announced “full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup”.

He confirmed in a statement, “The Kingdom has all the human, logistical and infrastructural capabilities to deliver a unique and unprecedented edition of the World Cup.”

** Welcome to the Football Association

At the level of football confederations, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, announced in a statement “his full support for Saudi Arabia’s intention to submit a nomination file to host the 2034 edition of the World Cup”.

Al Khalifa added, “The Asian football family will stand united in supporting this very important initiative for the Queen, and we are committed to working closely with the global football family for its success.”

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, president of the Gulf Football Association, also expressed “the federation’s support for the kingdom’s announcement” in a statement, “expressing confidence that the Saudi bid can meet all hosting requirements.”

In a statement, the United Arab Emirates Football Association announced its “full support for Saudi Arabia in its bid to host the World Cup,” stressing that “Saudi Arabia has all the elements for success in hosting the World Cup.”

Adnan Tarjal, head of the Iraqi Football Federation, declared his “full support for the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup,” adding, “The submission of the request by the Saudi Football Federation to host the World Cup was successful. A big step that counts for all Arabs.”

The Palestinian Football Association also confirmed its “full support for the Saudi file” in a statement.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to become the third Arab country to host the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, and Morocco is in a joint bid with Spain and Portugal for the 2030 edition.

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