Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia will work with FIFA to ensure ticket affordability and fan safety during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said, as the kingdom prepares to host the tournament amid regional instability and following concerns over high ticket prices during this year's finals in North America.
Ticket prices, particularly on the resale market, have been a major point of contention among fans. U.S. lawmakers have also urged FIFA to reduce ticket costs, which have risen sharply since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
While noting that FIFA owns the tickets and determines their prices, Al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia would work closely with world football's governing body to improve accessibility for fans. He also said the kingdom plans to expand its visa programme.
"This is something that we're going to work with FIFA on. Nobody wants to see a tournament such as the World Cup where people are struggling to come," Al-Faisal told Reuters.
"We have more than 60 (countries whose citizens can get) e-visas on arrival and hopefully more to come. That actually started with a sporting event in the kingdom in 2018 when we hosted Formula E. Before that we didn't have any tourist visa.
"We've hosted more than 150 international events. All fans that have come have enjoyed (them), have found ease of access. So that's definitely one of the things that we really focus on to make sure that everyone has accessibility."
Saudi Arabia is due to host the 2027 Asian Cup, which will serve as a key test of its venues ahead of the 2034 World Cup. However, the U.S.-Iran war and wider regional tensions pose potential challenges to plans for welcoming fans from around the world.
Al-Faisal, however, stressed that safety remains the kingdom's top priority and noted that sporting events have continued despite the conflict. He pointed to attendances during the Saudi Pro League season, where the title race went down to the final day.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al Nassr clinch the Saudi Pro League title on the final day of the season.
The 2034 World Cup will be the first to be hosted by a single nation under the expanded 48-team format, and Al-Faisal said that would present a unique set of challenges.
