FIFA President Gianni Infantino Sees 2034 FIFA World Cup as ‘Monumental Opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the 2034 FIFA World Cup as a “monumental opportunity” for Saudi Arabia, highlighting football’s power to unite people across borders, languages, and religions.

With 5 billion fans worldwide, Infantino emphasized the sport’s massive global reach and potential.

“The opportunities are huge,” Infantino said. “Football is a game followed by five billion people around the world. We need to find a way to connect these five billion people because that’s what they are watching: a World Cup, 104 games in one month – 104 Super Bowls in one month.”

Infantino also highlighted football’s significant financial potential, generating around $270 billion in global GDP annually.

He noted that 70% of this revenue comes from Europe, suggesting that if other regions, like Saudi Arabia and the US, could match 20% of Europe’s football output, the global GDP impact could exceed half a trillion dollars.

The FIFA President also emphasized the growth of women’s football, announcing FIFA’s target of $1 billion in revenue from the Women’s World Cup.

With the tournament expanding to 48 teams by 2031, Infantino’s message was clear: investing in football is a smart move.

Saudi Arabia is already developing its women’s national team and league, and Infantino’s comments suggest that the country’s investment in football could yield significant returns.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup presents a monumental opportunity for Saudi Arabia to showcase its capabilities and tap into the global football market.