Saudi Arabia Shelves Plans for NEOM Stadium Ahead of 2034 World Cup

News Desk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has quietly shelved plans to construct the NEOM Stadium, a key component of its ambitious infrastructure for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

The decision comes amid delays and a scaling back of the broader NEOM megaproject, which includes the futuristic development known as The Line.

The NEOM Stadium was envisioned as a 46,000-seat arena, designed to be part of a striking 100-mile (160-km) steel and glass structure.

NEOM was launched nearly a decade ago as a flagship initiative under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing the kingdom’s dependence on oil revenues.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which oversees NEOM, indicated in April that The Line was no longer a priority and that its completion was not essential before 2030, despite denying any project cancellations.

This shelving of the NEOM Stadium raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the World Cup and the future of its ambitious urban development plans.

The decision reflects broader challenges facing the kingdom as it seeks to balance grand visions with practical realities, potentially impacting international perceptions of its capability to deliver on such large-scale projects.

As Saudi Arabia continues to develop or renovate 15 venues across five cities for the World Cup, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the situation for any further announcements regarding the NEOM project and its implications for the upcoming tournament.