As no other bids emerged by FIFA’s deadline late last year, Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup of soccer is almost guaranteed to succeed. It was announced on Friday.

FIFA, the world governing body, restricted the 2034 competition to bidders from the Asian and Oceania confederations because Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were scheduled to share hosting of the 2030 event.

Saudi Arabia, whose neighbor Qatar hosted the 2022 finals, would be the second nation in the Gulf to host the main event.

Growing, according to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

Together.” World Cup campaign would highlight how the country was using sport to deepen its diplomatic ties with other nations.

Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in high-profile sports including golf, Formula One, soccer, and boxing, which has led some critics to charge the oil-rich monarchy of “sportswashing” its human rights record.

In a statement, SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal stated, “It is of utmost importance to tell our football story to the world.”

“We’ve made unprecedented progress in both the men’s and women’s game, and our bid is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey.”

The full bid materials must be submitted to FIFA in July in order to move forward with the process. Towards the end of the year, a FIFA Congress will confirm the 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts.

In 2026, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will host the World Cup.