Turkish Football Federation Latest To Back Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup Bid

On Monday, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) submitted their letter of intent to FIFA – the international governing body of football – following last week’s announcement to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

“This move marks the first formal step in our bid process and confirms our complete commitment to #Saudi2034,” the SAFF posted on social media. “This comes after SAFF received support from over 70 Member Associations around the world.”

“Saudi Arabia Has Emerged As A Footballing Powerhouse”

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has become the latest one to throw its support behind Saudi Arabia’s bid to host football’s global finals in 11 years’ time. “Saudi Arabia has firmly established itself as a capable and welcoming host nation.”

The TFF released a statement on Monday night, adding: “Saudi Arabia has emerged as a footballing powerhouse in recent years, boasting a domestic championship that has garnered international attention due to its array of renowned football stars.”

Thailand, Malaysia, India, the Philippines and Cuba are also understood to be among the countries to offer support. Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has also officially announced its support for the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The host nation is known to automatically qualify for the global finals. Saudi Arabia delivered one of the shocks of the 2022 World Cup by beating eventual champions Argentina in the group stage. Nonetheless, the country has lately been investing generously in the global industry.

Kingdom Spending Billions On Sports Deals To Diversify Economy

Until recently, Saudi Arabia was known for oil and the two holy mosques in Makkah and Medina that lure in millions of Muslims each year. However, the country has recently been spending billions on high-profile sports deals to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

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In an effort to bolster domestic football, the Kingdom continues to welcome some of the most sought-after football stars for its local clubs, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar already lured in with million-dollar salaries.