By Ibrahim al-Khazen
ISTANBUL (AA) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman formed a higher commission on Thursday to supervise the kingdom’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed by the world’s football governing body FIFA as the host of the global tournament in 2034.
According to the Saudi state news agency SPA, a supreme commission for hosting the event was created and will be chaired by bin Salman.
The creation of the commission “affirms the kingdom’s commitment to hosting an exceptional version of the most significant event in football history as the first country to organize this tournament with the participation of 48 teams from all continents," SPA said.
Saudi Arabia will become the second Middle Eastern country to host the top-tier international football tournament after Qatar in 2022.
The matches are planned to be held in 15 stadiums in five Saudi cities; Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
The 2034 World Cup will be the first 48-team tournament in the competition’s history.
The FIFA World Cup is the top-tier international men's football competition, which has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except for 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar