Saudi Arabia humbled by 'massive support' for 2034 World Cup bid

Saudi Arabia Football Federation president Yasser Al Misehal said he was humbled by the “massive support” shown by other countries as the kingdom emerged as the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup after Australia opted out of hosting the tournament.

Football Australia announced hours before Fifa’s deadline on Tuesday that it would not be submitting a bid.

Football's world governing body had already said the tournament would be held in Asia or Oceania, while Saudi Arabia had garnered immediate support from the Asian Football Confederation.

Al Misehal said: “This moment marks the next phase in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to host the 2034 World Cup.

“We are humbled by the massive support from over 125 Fifa member associations across the world since submitting our official letter of intent a few weeks ago.

“The faith and trust expressed publicly so far from the football family motivates us even more to hopefully host this iconic tournament 11 years from now, for the benefit of all.

“Driven by a huge passion for the game by our young nation, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is fully committed to meeting and exceeding the bid’s requirements.

“Every single member of our football family is putting their full effort to achieving our nation’s dream of one day hosting a World Cup on home soil. Saudi 2034 is our open invitation to the world to experience our rich football culture, enjoy an unforgettable event and all that our country has to offer.

“We truly believe in the power of football to inspire future generations. We are committed to ensuring that a 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia helps grow the game across different corners of the globe and inspire future generations. Being awarded the right to host the tournament would be an