In April, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, said The Line was no longer a priority and was not of utmost importance before 2030.
That change in emphasis has reached the planned Neom Stadium, a $2.5 billion futuristic arena in the Neom megacity that Saudi Arabia had earmarked as a flagship venue for the 2034 World Cup. Construction has been suspended.
The 46,000-capacity stadium was designed to stand 350 metres above ground within The Line development. It has been classified as 'on hold', with no end date given.
Saudi Arabia won the right to hold the 2034 World Cup unopposed. When it was confirmed as the sole host of the 48-team tournament, the kingdom proposed 15 stadiums to FIFA. The competition will be the first 48-team World Cup hosted by a single country.
Its plan covers 15 stadiums in five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM. Neom Stadium was among 11 new venues in the original programme, alongside four existing stadiums due to be renovated or expanded. The bid described it as the 'most unique stadium in the world'.
FIFA had called Saudi Arabia’s proposal 'absolutely incredible'. The combined value of the kingdom’s stadium and related World Cup projects was estimated at USD 22.7 billion.
The stadium suspension follows the suspension of The Mukaab skyscraper project in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance has forecast a larger-than-previously expected fiscal deficit and a 3.6 percent decline in real GDP after lower oil activity.
Since securing the 2034 tournament, Saudi Arabia has been pulling away from sport. Reports also indicate that the kingdom’s most ambitious stadium project will be abandoned.
There is still construction underway elsewhere. The Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar is expected to be completed by the end of this year and to stage its first match in January. Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently targeted an area near an Aramco facility in Riyadh.
Ten new stadiums are planned for the tournament, including Riyadh’s 92,000-capacity King Salman Stadium, which is set to host the opening and final matches. The World Cup 2034 Hosting Higher Authority said 'substantial delivery' of tournament infrastructure was already under way.
What remains unresolved is whether another stadium will replace Neom Stadium, or whether the tournament will go ahead with 14 venues.
Comments (0)