FIFA Confirms 2034 World Cup Will Feature 48 Teams Across Five Saudi Cities

FIFA has officially confirmed that the 2034 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will feature 48 national teams competing across five extraordinary host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Al Khobar, and the futuristic NEOM. The announcement marks a landmark moment in the tournament's history, cementing Saudi Arabia's place as the host of the most expansive World Cup ever staged.

The expanded 48-team format, first introduced at the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will see 104 matches played across 15 stadiums over the course of the tournament. Saudi Arabia's bid committee confirmed that the group stage will feature 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and eight best third-placed sides advancing to a 32-team knockout round.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the decision as 'a defining moment for world football,' adding that Saudi Arabia's investment in infrastructure, stadiums, and fan experience would set a new benchmark for tournament hosting. 'The Kingdom has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to delivering a World Cup that will be remembered for generations,' he said.

Riyadh will serve as the tournament's heartbeat, with the newly constructed King Salman International Stadium — a 92,000-seat architectural marvel — hosting the opening ceremony and the final. The capital's Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium will also host group stage and knockout matches, giving the city a combined capacity of over 140,000 across its two venues.

Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City, affectionately known as 'The Jewel,' will host some of the tournament's most anticipated group stage clashes, while the coastal city's atmosphere — a blend of Red Sea breezes and passionate crowds — is expected to create one of the most memorable fan experiences in World Cup history.

Perhaps the most talked-about venue is the NEOM Stadium, nestled in the Tabuk mountains of northwest Saudi Arabia. The floating, gravity-defying structure — part of the Kingdom's ambitious NEOM megacity project — will host matches in a setting unlike anything football has ever seen. Engineers and architects have described it as 'the most technically complex stadium ever built.'

Abha, the green mountain city of the Asir region, and Al Khobar on the Eastern Province coastline complete the host city lineup. Both cities offer dramatically different landscapes and cultural experiences, ensuring that the 2034 World Cup will be a true journey across the breadth and diversity of Saudi Arabia.

With qualification campaigns already underway across all six confederations, the countdown to Saudi Arabia 2034 is well and truly on. FIFA confirmed that the official group stage draw will take place in Riyadh in late 2033, with ticket sales for the general public opening in phases from 2032 onwards.