Having already stunned the world of football with an almighty spending spree, Saudi Arabia is looking to do it all over again on the international stage.
The nation has been awarded the 2034 World Cup, two years on from Cristiano Ronaldo landing in the Saudi Pro League and triggering a new global order in football.
An influx of world class talent followed with then Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema swapping Real Madrid for Al Ittihad in the summer, while the arrivals of huge names like Neymar, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane made it clear they weren’t messing around.
If those statements weren’t clear enough, Saudi’s World Cup will be like no other, with 15 new mind-blowing stadiums to be produced over the next decade.
Here, talkSPORT.com guides you through the jaw-dropping hosts for the tournament…
King Salman International Stadium
Starting off with a bang, the massive King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh will become one of the largest venues in world sport at a capacity of 92,760.
It comes with some responsibility too, as the arena will not only become the new home of the national team, it will also host the opening game of the 2034 World Cup as well as the final.
Architects Populous say the inspiration for the unique design comes from the Saudi landscape, and represents a seed cracking the earth. It will feature 2,200 VIP seats and 300 VVIP seats, while attendees will be able to walk up onto its roof that features panoramic views of the capital city.
King Fahad Sports City Stadium
Staying in Riyadh, the King Fahad Sports City Stadium boasts the tournament’s second-highest capacity at 92,000.
This project is a rebuild rather than a new build, expanding on a stadium that was initially opened in 1987 with a capacity of 58,398.
Most notably, it features a circular tent-line roof, inspired by a traditional Bedouin tent. It’s also large enough to keep the sun off spectators during scorching summer months.
Currently under reconstruction, the King Fahad is expected to be open far earlier than the others, in 2026 to be precise, in time for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium
Not the highest capacity at 46,979, but arguably the most spectacular of the lot, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh will be located off the side of a cliff on the edge of the Qiddiya City’s Tuwaiq Mountains.
The back of one goal will be a window out to the mountains and city, while architects Populous say it will be the world’s first stadium with a fully-retractable roof and pitch, as well as an LED wall, allowing it to transform into different ‘event modes’ in minutes.
New Murabba Stadium
Named after PIF housing company New Murabba, this 46,010 seater Riyadh arena also takes inspiration from local nature.
Appearing as if it’s just burst out of the ground, the ridged roof is inspired by the native Acacia tree.
Located in downtown Riyadh, it will feature massive concourse areas, making it fit for not just sporting events but other entertainment exhibitions ahead of its opening in 2032.
Roshn Stadium
Arguably the most unique of all these stadiums is this one designed by Roshn Group.
Again located in Riyadh, a crystalline structure is planned to complement the surrounding skyscrapers in the part of the city in which it will be located.
Still without a contractor, the arena is projected to house ‘over 45,000 fans’.
Roshn’s head of commercial, Iain McBride, said: “It’s quite an ambitious design that mirrors the ambition of the country.”
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaThe Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium is a remake of part of the country’s history[/caption]
Another location that is being rebuilt is the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium which was initially opened in 1971 with a capacity of 22,500, making it the country’s biggest for decades.
Having hosted Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and now Al Shabab, it’s set for a major upgrade with a capacity of 46,865.
It will also lose its athletic track and have a striking new facade fitted, and as it’s again a rebuild, it is likely to be ready in time for the 2027 Asian Cup.
South Riyadh Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaPro League sides will be fighting to get their hands on the South Riyadh Stadium[/caption]
The South Riyadh Stadium draws from local architecture rather than nature, specifically Salmani architecture which dominates the capital where it blends modern planning with the country’s past.
With a capacity of 47,060, the arena will be handed over to a ‘major’ Pro League side after the tournament, although it’s not clear which one yet.
King Saud University Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaRonaldo’s new home will be rebuilt in time for the tournament[/caption]
Best known as the home of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, the King Saud University Stadium will see its 25,000 capacity upped to 46,319 over the coming years as it prepares for the World Cup.
The most modern arena to get a rebuild, the original King Saud was only finished in 2015 and then had its biggest day in January 2023 when Al Nassr unveiled Ronaldo and ushered in a new era of middle-eastern football.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaThe already opened King Abdullah Sports City Stadium gives us a lock of what’s to come[/caption]
Another rebuild, but this time in Jeddah, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium is actually already finished and in use and is now regularly referred to as ‘The Shining Jewel’.
The company behind it, Arcadis, claim that the two-year timeframe it took to build for a FIFA-ready stadium was ‘record-breaking’ and it’s been in use from 2014 as the Pro League’s pride and joy.
Opened for the 2014 King’s Cup, the arena now hosts Benzema’s Al Ittihad and Roberto Firmino’s Al Ahli, while it also staged international friendlies, including one between South American rivals Brazil and Argentina which drew a record crowd of 62,345. It’s also since hosted Manchester City‘s 2023 Club World Cup final win over Brazilian club Fluminense.
Qiddiya Coast Stadium
Staying in Jeddah, the spectacular Qiddiya Coast Stadium will run alongside the Red Sea, like the nation’s Jeddah Corniche Formula 1 Circuit.
Unlike the other new builds which take inspiration from local culture, this colourful design is said to be inspired by the Mexican wave, with a rippling, undulating effect.
The project is scheduled to be finished in 2032 with a capacity of 46,069 spectators, and perhaps uniquely, it won’t be used for football after the World Cup, and will instead be transformed into a multi-purpose entertainment complex.
Jeddah Central Development Stadium
Another stunningly unique design that is already underway is the Jeddah Central Development Stadium, part of a bigger project in the nation’s second-largest city.
A 5.7million square-metre redevelopment will see a new marina, waterfront hotel, exclusive flats, opera house, oceanarium and museum.
All of this comes at a cost of a reported £15billion, and is expected to be operational by 2030 with a 45,794 capacity football stadium ready to go.
King Abdullah Economic City Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaThe King Abdullah Economic City Stadium takes inspiration from its seaside location[/caption]
Staying in Jeddah, by the Red Sea, the King Abdullah Economic City Stadium goes back to local inspiration with a coral reef styled exterior.
The light-doused 45,700 capacity arena is expected to be completed in 2032, in time for the 2034 World Cup, before being handed over for other football matches, concerts and exhibitions.
Aramco Stadium
Moving over to Al Khobar, the 47,000 capacity Aramco Stadium is another designed by Populous that again takes inspiration from local nature with a wave-like roof, referencing its position on the Arabian Gulf.
Commenting on the stadium, the architects in charge of it said: “The design will become iconic in the football world and will be synonymous with Saudi Arabia‘s vision to further develop Al Khobar into a global sports destination, attracting visitors from around the world.”
They also noted that the capacity can be increased to 55,000 for other events including concerts, while there will be space inside for retail outlets.
King Khalid University Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaAbha’s only stadium will be one of the best[/caption]
The only stadium in Abha will be another rebuild, but this one is huge, taking a 12,000 seater arena up to 45,428 seats.
Currently the home of second tier sides Al Watani and Neom Sports Club, the pair are likely to face competition from Pro League sides with the arena to be handed over to a top flight club after the World Cup.
Neom Stadium
2034 Fifa World Cup Saudi ArabiaThe unfathomable Neom Stadium sits above the water[/caption]
Looking like something from a sci-fi film, the spectacular Neom Stadium will be situated 350 metres from the ground on top of ‘The Line’ project.
The car-free mega city has been labelled ‘one of the most unique projects in the world’ and it’s easy to see why, with only pictures really doing it justice.
The Line, a self contained 170km-long city, has already made headlines, so putting a 46,010 capacity stadium on top of it is only set to further anticipation.
Construction on The Line is already underway, but the stadium won’t start being built until 2027, with a 2032 finishing date, two years after The Line itself is set to be opened.