Palmer scores four as improving Chelsea hit Everton for six

Palmer scores four as improving Chelsea hit Everton for six
Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, left, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 16 April 2024
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Palmer scores four as improving Chelsea hit Everton for six

Palmer scores four as improving Chelsea hit Everton for six
  • Palmer killed the game as a contest as he completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes before Nicolas Jackson also struck before half-time

LONDON: Cole Palmer scored four goals to put Chelsea within touching distance of the Premier League’s top six after a 6-0 win over Everton on Monday.
The England international has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Blues and moved level with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s 20 Premier League goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Palmer killed the game as a contest as he completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes before Nicolas Jackson also struck before half-time.
A penalty from Palmer and Alfie Gilchrist’s first goal for his boyhood club rounded off the scoring in the second half.
Despite an eight-game unbeaten Premier League run, Chelsea remain in ninth but are now just three points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand to come.
And they will head into Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal against City confident they can end the holders’ quest for a second consecutive treble.
A demoralizing defeat leaves Everton still perilously placed just two points above the relegation zone.
The Toffees appealed against a two-point penalty for breaking Premier League sustainability rules on Monday, having also been docked a further six points for another charge this season.
How Everton could do with the boost of recovering some of those lost points as the battle for survival looks set to go down to the wire.
Nottingham Forest visit Goodison Park in a huge relegation six-pointer on Sunday and Sean Dyche’s men will need to improve at both ends of the field to prolong their 70-year stay in the top flight.
The visitors were dealt a blow before kick-off as Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed out due to a hamstring injury.
His deputy Beto spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring when he somehow turned over Seamus Coleman’s cross from point-blank range.
Palmer was not so forgiving at the other end as he made another case to be crowned as the Premier League’s player of the year.
City must regret letting the 21-year-old leave for what now looks like a bargain £40 million ($50 million) in September.
Palmer nutmegged Jarrad Branthwaite before exchanging a neat one-two with Jackson and curling home from the edge of the box to open the scoring.
With Enzo Fernandez absent due to injury, Mauricio Pochettino flanked Palmer and Jackson with Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk for the first time in his starting line-up.
Everton could not live with the sharpness of that front four and Palmer was left with an easy task to head in his second after Jordan Pickford denied Jackson from a Mudryk cross.
The England goalkeeper then had a moment to forget as he gifted possession to Palmer, who nonchalantly chipped his international teammate on his weaker right foot from midway inside the Everton half.
In contrast to Palmer, Jackson has had an inconsistent first season at Chelsea but produced an excellent touch and finish to fire in his 13th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time.
A routine night for Pochettino’s men was still not without drama when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark.
Both Madueke and Jackson tried to take over penalty duties before they were forcibly removed by captain Conor Gallagher to hand Palmer the ball.
He duly made it nine out of nine successful spot-kicks this season to take his tally for the season in both Chelsea and City colors to 25.
Academy graduate Gilchrist had only been on the field a matter of seconds when he blasted in the sixth after Pickford parried Ben Chilwell’s effort.


Wolfsburg earn key win over Roma in Women’s Champions League, Lyon net six past Galatasaray

Wolfsburg earn key win over Roma in Women’s Champions League, Lyon net six past Galatasaray
Updated 12 December 2024
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Wolfsburg earn key win over Roma in Women’s Champions League, Lyon net six past Galatasaray

Wolfsburg earn key win over Roma in Women’s Champions League, Lyon net six past Galatasaray
  • Four goals inside the final 25 minutes from Sveindis Jonsdottir secured Wolfsburg second spot in Group A as they moved three points ahead of Roma
  • In Group B, the already-qualified Chelsea and Real Madrid both won to set up a blockbuster final group game next week

PARIS: Wolfsburg romped to a 6-1 win over Roma in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday to book their place in the quarterfinals, while eight-time victors Lyon hammered Galatasaray.

Four goals inside the final 25 minutes from Sveindis Jonsdottir secured Wolfsburg second spot in Group A as they moved three points ahead of Roma and boast a better head-to-head record against the Italians.

“I’m extremely happy and extremely proud that we’re through,” said Wolfsburg forward Alexandra Popp.

“We made life very difficult for ourselves with the result from the game in Rome. But to have a game like this... I’m just super proud.”

On matchday one, the Romans won 1-0 against Wolfsburg in Italy but the two-time champions now have a superior record thanks to their heavy win at home.

The Germans next face leaders Lyon in the final round of group-stage matches on Dec. 17, but with nothing at stake.

The French side have a perfect five wins from five after their 6-0 demolition of bottom side Galatasaray and sit six points clear in the group.

In Germany, Popp opened the scoring early for Wolfsburg, before Valentina Giacinti equalized shortly after halftime.

Lineth Beerensteyn put the Wolves back in front after the hour and Jonsdottir then bagged four to give the win a sheen.

The Iceland forward came off the substitutes’ bench on 66 minutes and netted her first just two minutes later.

She then scored three in the final five minutes to bring Wolfsburg up to nine points.

“I’m going to let all the girls write something on this (match) ball — I’m really happy! I’ll probably never forget about it,” said Jonsdottir.

In Istanbul, six different players were on the scoresheet for Lyon as they ran riot at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Ada Hegerberg and Sara Daebritz scored inside the opening 30 minutes, before a Jazmin Jackmon own-goal made it 3-0 by the break.

Captain Wendie Renard, Danielle van de Donk and Eugenie Le Sommer completed the scoring in the second half.

Le Sommer’s 76th-minute strike brought up a significant milestone for the 35-year-old as it was her 50th goal in the Champions League.

“It would be too early to say that we are the favorites for the cups before the end of the season, but we are making good progress,” Lyon coach Joe Montemurro told UEFA’s website.

“We’ve had a good start to the season, but the important thing is to maintain this.”

In Group B, the already-qualified Chelsea and Real Madrid both won to set up a blockbuster final group game next week, where the winners of the pool will be decided.

The English champions will travel to Madrid in pole position on Dec. 17, holding a three-point advantage after defeating Real 3-2 at home on the first matchday.

Chelsea maintained their 100 percent record on Wednesday as they waltzed to a 6-1 win against Dutch club Twente.

Madrid moved to 12 points with a 3-0 win at Celtic thanks to a brace from Danish attacker Signe Bruun and a late Alba Redondo header.


Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph
Updated 12 December 2024
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Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph
  • City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions
  • Barcelona jumped into second place in the league standings, behind Liverpool, and are guaranteed to advance after a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund
  • The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff

LONDON: Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus on Wednesday, the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions.

City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings, with only the top 24 advancing. Progressing to the next round of the new-look format looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2023 and has won the last four Premier League titles. But not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players.

City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with goals by Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie inflicting the latest defeat and igniting Juventus’ qualification hopes.

Barcelona jumped into second place in the league standings, behind Liverpool, and are guaranteed to advance after a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund. Raphinha and Ferran Torres, with two goals, scored for Barca.

Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 mainly thanks to two goals by Bukayo Saka to move into third place and be the highest of six teams on 13 points.

The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff.

Danger for City

City have two games to save theier faltering Champions League campaign and the first is against Paris Saint-Germain, another giant in trouble in 25th place — one spot out of the qualifying positions.

Vlahovic put Juventus ahead in the 53rd when he powered a header goalward straight at City goalkeeper Ederson, who could only parry the ball over his own line. Two American substitutes sealed the win for Juve, with McKennie volleying home from Timothy Weah’s cross.

Juventus moved into 14th place.

Super-sub Torres

Ferran Torres came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a fifth win in six games and push Dortmund, last season’s runner-up, out of the top eight.

Torres came on in the 71st to replace Robert Lewandowski, who had a quiet game against his former club. Just four minutes later, Torres scored a goal on the rebound from Dani Olmo’s shot.

Serhou Guirassy’s second goal of the game leveled the score at 2-2 but Torres scored again in the 85th off Lamine Yamal’s pass on the counter.

Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead before Guirassy equalized from the penalty spot. Raphinha and Guirassy are tied for second place in the scoring chart on six goals, behind Lewandowski’s competition-high seven.

Home comforts for Arsenal

Arsenal secured a third straight home win without conceding in the league stage, with Saka scoring in the 34th and 78th minutes and sending in a shot that was turned into the net by substitute Kai Havertz in the 88th.

Arsenal are ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Brest and Lille on goal difference. Lille won 3-2 at home to Sturm Graz on Wednesday.

In-form Alvarez

Man City could sure do with Julian Alvarez at the moment.

With a brilliant curling finish to open the scoring, the Argentina striker helped Atletico Madrid beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 and provide a timely reminder of what City are missing after selling him for more than $100 million in August. Alvarez has 12 goals for the season, with four coming in the Champions League.

Antoine Griezmann scored Atletico’s other two goals at Metropolitano stadium as the Spanish team climbed to 11th place after a 10th straight win in all competitions.

Tribute to grieving teammate

When Lukasz Lakomy gave Young Boys the lead against Stuttgart, he ran toward the sideline and held up teammate Meschack Elia’s jersey as others gathered around him.

The gesture was a tribute after Elia’s son died unexpectedly this week after a short illness. Elia wasn’t playing as he was on his way to his native Congo, where his son died, to be with his family.

Both teams wore black armbands and there was a moment of silence before the game, which was won 5-1 by Stuttgart.


Saudi Arabia lights up after being named as host for World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia lights up after being named as host for World Cup 2034
Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia lights up after being named as host for World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia lights up after being named as host for World Cup 2034
  • Dazzling firework displays reflected the spirit of unity and excitement surrounding the country’s historic achievement
  • In celebration, dynamic drone shows are to captivate audiences in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, and Abha

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is celebrating being chosen as host of the FIFA World Cup 2034 with a series of events across the country.

The football-themed festivities, which run until Dec. 14, invite citizens and residents to showcase their national pride by wearing football jerseys and sharing their moments on social media using the hashtag #Saudi2034.

Fireworks illuminated the skies of Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, NEOM, Al-Qassim, and Jubail at 8:34 p.m. on Wednesday, after the official announcement from an online ceremony that was broadcast at a Riyadh event attended by Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and other officials.

The dazzling displays reflected the spirit of unity and excitement surrounding the country’s historic achievement.

In celebration, dynamic drone shows are to captivate audiences in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, and Abha.

There will also be an air show in Riyadh on Dec. 12 over the skies of King Abdullah Financial District, King Fahd Stadium, and King Fahd Road.

Riyadh’s municipality handed out scarves to football fans in Tahlia Street, Takhassusi Street, and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Road, and organized events with traditional dances at various urban parks.

A number of institutions held watch parties at the time of the announcement ceremony, including the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Parks and buildings were adorned with Saudi flags, while public spaces in a number of cities and regions were bathed in green light to mark the occasion.

A series of public gatherings will take place until Dec. 14 between 5:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Boulevard City, Laysen Valley, Roshn Front, and Bujairi Terrace in Riyadh; and the Corniche Circuit, Roshn Waterfront, Corniche Obhur, Prince Majid Park, King Abdulaziz Cultural Center, and the Municipality Building in Jeddah.

Elsewhere, celebrations will take place at the Corniche, Half Moon Beach, Tharwa Corniche, and King Abdullah Park in Alkhobar; and Beach District Plaza Al-Baha Mall, Al-Hawiya Walk, Boulevard, and the Winter Festival in Al-Baha; in Buraydah at Bukhari Street; and in Abha at Al-Bahar Square, Art Street, Veranda, Ariash, High City, and Midmac.

Hail will host gatherings on Dec. 13 from 5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Al Fajr Walkway and Bahjah Park.

These activities offer football fans an opportunity to come together and share in the joyful atmosphere.


Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments
Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments
  • Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before finishing past Michel Preud’homme
  • Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has taken part in six World Cup tournaments, an Arab record it shares with Morocco and Tunisia. Here are our favorite Green Falcons moments from football’s grandest stage.

5. Saudi defeat Egypt to end winless streak (Russia 2018)

Saudi Arabia returned to the World Cup after an absence of 12 years at Russia 2018 and while there would be no progress from the group stage as there was in the Green Falcons’ debut at USA 1994, there was a first win since that tournament 24 years earlier.

Saudi suffered a painful 5-0 defeat against the hosts on the opening day of the tournament and followed that up with a narrow 1-0 loss against Uruguay. It meant that while the final Group A match against fellow Arab qualifiers Egypt was a dead rubber, pride was very much still at stake.

 

Mohamed Salah, after a stellar season for Liverpool, gave Egypt a 1-0 lead, but deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half, Salman Al-Faraj equalized from the penalty spot.

As the clock passed the 90-minute mark it looked like both teams would be heading home without a win, but Salem Al-Dawsari scored in the 95th minute to make it 2-1 and end the Green Falcon’s 15-match winless World Cup streak.

4. Almost a perfect send-off for Sami Al-Jaber (Germany 2006)

It was almost the ideal end for arguably Saudi Arabia’s greatest ever footballer.

The 2006 World Cup in Germany may not have ended up being too fondly remembered by Saudi fans but it did provide an early moment which hinted at a repeat of the team’s 1994 heroics.

The Green Falcons’ opening match against Tunisia at the Allianz Arena in Munich saw the North African team take the lead from Ziad Jaziri after only 23 minutes but the Saudis struck back with a fine finish by Yasser Al-Qahtani on 57 minutes.

Enter Al-Jaber. Wearing his favored No. 9 green shirt, he was introduced as a substitute after 82 minutes and within moments he was bearing down on Tunisian goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel with the goal at his mercy. Al-Jaber did not disappoint, scoring Saudi’s second before being mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.

Unfortunately for the team managed by Marcos Paqueta, Tunisia equalized in the dying seconds and Saudi went on to lose their next two matches against Ukraine and Spain.

But at least Al-Jaber’s fourth and last World Cup had ended like his first, with a goal for his beloved Saudi Arabia.

3. Al-Ghesheyan stunner gives Saudi a fleeting dream (US 1994)

Saudi Arabia had already created history by progressing from the group stages at the US World Cup in 1994 and their reward was a round of 16 clash with Sweden, who would end up being one of the teams of the tournament.

In the stifling heat of Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the Green Falcons, fresh off a stunning win over Belgium in their previous match, put on brave display but found themselves two goals down after an early header from Martin Dahlin and a strike from Kennet Andersson six minutes after the break.

Just as it looked like an exhausted team was only minutes from heading home, up popped substitute Fahad Al-Ghesheyan to breathe life into Saudi Arabia’s World Cup campaign and allow the fans to dream again.

The 21-year-old collected the ball inside the Swedish penalty area and unleashed a right-foot strike into the roof of the net five minutes from time to suddenly give Saudi hope of a stunning comeback.

But just two minutes later, Andersson scored his second to give Sweden a 3-1 win and eliminate the Falcons from the competition. They had become the first Arab nation to reach the last 16 in their first attempt and no team from the region would progress further until 2022.

2. Al-Owairan scores one of the World Cup’s greatest goals (USA 1994)

To Diego Maradona’s iconic solo goal against England in 1986 and Roberto Baggio’s international career-launching strike against Czechoslovakia in 1990, you can add Saeed Al-Owairan’s remarkable winner against Belgium in 1994.

Saudi Arabia’s debut at the World Cup had ended with a 2-1 loss to reigning European champions the Netherlands at the RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., but in their second Group F match, they managed an excellent 2-1 win over Morocco at the Giants Stadium in New York.

It meant that progress to the last 16 would depend on their result against Belgium, and the Green Falcons would go on to record one of their greatest ever results back at the RFK.

Only five minutes into the match, Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before the forward finished past stranded goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme.

The stunned Belgians had no answer to that goal in the next 85 minutes. Saudi Arabia, in their first World Cup, were heading to the last 16 and Al-Owairan had written his name alongside the World Cup greats.

1. Saudi claim greatest win over Messi’s Argentina (Qatar 2022)

There can be few debates about Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moment.

Few people would have given Herve Renard’s team much hope of a victory when they took on Lionel Messi and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022.

And sure enough it was the Argentine maestro who gave the South Americans the lead on 10 minutes from the penalty spot. But the expected Argentinian procession did not materialize. Instead, the Falcons, through gritty defending and smart counterattacks, slowly grew into the game.

The second half would be a revelation. First Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans in the stadium and around the world wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals.

Messi and his colleagues would go on to win the World Cup, but that day they had no answer to Saudi Arabia’s tigerish performance.

There would be no progress from the group stage for the Falcons, but the 2-1 scoreline gave them their most famous victory and they would end the tournament as the eventual world champions’ only conquerors.


Saudi Arabia’s road to becoming FIFA World Cup 2034 host

Saudi Arabia’s road to becoming FIFA World Cup 2034 host
Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s road to becoming FIFA World Cup 2034 host

Saudi Arabia’s road to becoming FIFA World Cup 2034 host
  • Kingdom goes uncontested
  • Bid receives FIFA’s highest-ever rating

RIYADH: FIFA officially ratified Saudi Arabia as host of the World Cup 2034 on Wednesday in what was a fairly drama-free affair for an obvious reason — the sport’s global governing body confirmed the name of the lone, uncontested bidder as the host.

Nevertheless, the country has proved itself worthy of the title after a journey of several years that culminated in achieving FIFA’s highest-ever rating for a bid submission and ultimately winning.

For the Kingdom, the journey from bidder to winner of the host of the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world came after an interesting turn of events.

The journey began with Saudi Arabia reportedly holding talks in September 2022 with sports chiefs in Egypt and Greece over an audacious joint bid to host the World Cup 2030.

 

“The three countries are working flat out” and “the application to organize the tournament is being studied,” Mohammed Fawzi, spokesman for the Egyptian Sports Ministry, said at the time.

Greece’s Hellenic Football Federation in Athens had also confirmed that the three countries were holding discussions about a joint bid.

However, whatever discussions were held did not result in a bid being submitted, and the Saudi Tourism Ministry in November 2022 confirmed that no official bid to host the World Cup 2030 was made.

Changing the plan, the Kingdom next year started seeking support for staging the mega sporting event alone in 2034, and in October 2023 announced its intention to bid to host the World Cup 2034.

On Oct. 9, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation submitted a letter of intent to bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

Yasser Al-Misehal, SAFF president, said at the time: “This is the second step of a hugely exciting journey that the nation is embarking on. The 2034 FIFA World Cup is our invitation to the world to witness Saudi Arabia’s development, experience its culture and become part of its history.”

Led by the SAFF, the bid for 2034 intended from the beginning to deliver a world-class tournament drawing inspiration from the Kingdom’s social and economic transformation and the deep-rooted passion for football.

Saudi Arabia’s inaugural bid was backed by the Kingdom’s growing experience of hosting world-class football events and its plans to welcome fans across the world to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Reflecting on the intention to bid, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s desire to bid for the tournament was a reflection of the Kingdom’s progress in all sectors.

Under the Saudi Vision 2030, sport is playing a significant role in contributing to the country’s economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all, and has an ability to unite and bring different cultures together.

The Kingdom said on Oct. 4, 2023 that it would bid for the 2034 event, minutes after the process was launched.

As a result of the tournament’s continental rotation, FIFA invited only member countries of the Asian and Oceanian confederations to apply.

Indonesia considered a joint bid with Australia, or other countries such as New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, but on Oct. 19 it swung behind Saudi Arabia’s bid.

Australia, which hosted the Women’s World Cup 2023, was also a contender but withdrew its interest after the Asian Football Confederation’s decision to back the Saudi bid.

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said bidding for the tournament was “not going to be favorable to Australia.”

He said: “Saudi is a strong bid. They have a lot of resources, and not just for the 2034 World Cup. From the government, top down they are prioritizing investment in football. That is difficult to compete with.”

Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid. As proposed, 48 teams will be participating at venues in one country for the first time in history.

The delegation visited the Saudi cities proposed to host the tournament, inspected the sports projects and facilities included in the bid, and reviewed other preparations.

It was announced on Oct. 31, 2023 that the football World Cup, the biggest sports show on Earth, was set to come to Saudi Arabia.

“The Kingdom is the only remaining bidder for the 2034 tournament after sole rivals Australia pulled out,” the sport’s world governing body FIFA said, adding that the decision would be ratified officially at a special FIFA congress at the end of 2024.

On March 1, 2024 SAFF launched its formal bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 under the slogan “Growing Together.”

The campaign proved a formality when the Kingdom became the only country to enter the contest to host the tournament.

The federation, as part of its formal bid, has unveiled a bid logo, website, as well as a short film that celebrates the passion, spirit and diversity of football in the Kingdom.

Al-Misehal said: “Telling our football story to the world is of massive importance. And we believe ‘Growing Together’ is the perfect, yet simple description of our approach to hopefully hosting the tournament in 10 years’ time.”

The bid was submitted to FIFA officials in Paris on July 29, 2024 by a delegation headed by the Saudi minister of sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, and Al-Misehal.

“With this candidacy, we intend to host the exceptional edition that brings together 48 teams for the first time in the history of the tournament in one country,” Prince Abdulaziz said at the time.

“Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 is a bid for the future. It is for our children and those who dream big,” he added.

The Kingdom’s bid to host the World Cup 2034 received a rating of 419.8 out of 500 in November 2024, the highest technical rating ever given by FIFA.

The announcement came just ahead of the federation’s general assembly on Dec. 11 that officially ratified Saudi Arabia as host of the World Cup 2034.