Saudi Arabia adding World Cup to growing sports portfolio

Saudi Arabia is set to be officially awarded hosting rights for the 2034 men's World Cup on Wednesday.

Securing football’s most high-profile tournament is just the latest example of the Middle East kingdom’s growing influence on global sport, which its critics say is in an effort to 'sportswash’ the authoritarian regime’s reputation.

Here we take a closer look.

BOXING

Turki Al-Sheikh has had a breakneck rise to kingmaker of boxing. Bankrolled by the Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority, Al-Sheikh’s influence has single-handedly changed the landscape of the sport.

Where once the best fighters tended to avoid each other, the riches on offer now see them tripping over themselves to get in the ring together in the kingdom.

Anthony Joshua has fought in the country four times but the jewels in the crown are the two Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury showdowns this year - the rematch is on 21 December.

FOOTBALL

The purchase of a majority stake in Newcastle in 2021 thrust Saudi Arabia, and its Public Investment Fund (PIF), into the consciousness of fans across England.

Internationally, the Saudi Pro League has become a magnet to some of the world’s top stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, with rumours persisting that Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior are also on the shopping list of the country’s clubs.

A sponsorship deal worth $400m (€380m) with Saudi energy firm Aramco has solidified ties between the kingdom and FIFA.

There have been suggestions Saudi Arabian money could now be invested into DAZN, which last week became the new global broadcast partner for FIFA’s Club World Cup after agreeing a reported $1bn (€950m) deal for the 2025 tournament.

FORMULA ONE

Aramco struck a major 10-year sponsorship deal with the premier motorsport