Ambitious plans to construct state-of-the-art stadiums for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia are facing significant delays and a major cost-cutting drive, The Guardian can reveal.
PIF Scrutiny Leads to Design Revisions
Sources within the construction industry have confirmed that the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is pushing to scale back expenses on the mega-project. This has led to several architecture firms, which had already been awarded contracts, being instructed to resubmit their stadium designs after they were deemed too costly.
Furthermore, contractors scheduled to begin work next year have been informed that their start dates will be postponed. There is now widespread speculation that Saudi Arabia may even reduce the total number of venues from the 15 stadiums pledged in its successful bid, which was approved by FIFA in December 2023.
Scale of the Original Vision and Current Pressures
The original Saudi bid outlined a tournament centred on four key cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Abha. A flagship venue, the Neom Stadium, was planned for the futuristic, renewable-energy-powered city known as The Line within the Neom mega-development. The blueprint involved building 11 brand-new venues and renovating four existing ones.
Prominent international firms like UK-based Foster + Partners and Arup, along with American practice Populous, are heavily involved in designing several of the new stadiums. While construction has begun on three venues, multiple others are now on hold.
The push for austerity is linked to a broader slowdown in spending by the PIF, influenced by lower global oil prices. In April 2024, the fund announced plans to cut its spending by at least 20% in 2025, affecting other Vision 2030 projects like Neom, Qiddiya City, and Diriyah.
Broader Context and Official Stance
Nearly all of Saudi Arabia's major infrastructure projects fall under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil dependence. However, the PIF itself remains funded by the nation's vast oil and gas reserves. Recent price cuts by state oil giant Aramco, due to falling demand and OPEC oversupply, have tightened finances.
While a Saudi source indicated that spending on sport would generally be prioritised, some World Cup projects are likely to be impacted. The PIF, which also holds a majority stake in Newcastle United and owns four Saudi Pro League clubs, regards the current review as standard procedure with nine years remaining until the tournament, expected in November and December 2034.
The situation highlights the challenges of delivering such a vast sporting spectacle. For context, the 2022 Qatar World Cup used eight stadiums, while the expanded 48-team 2026 event across the USA, Mexico, and Canada is scheduled to use 16 venues.
