The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has scooped out Senegal to back its bid to host 2034 World Cup as the Tourism minister of the Gulf country met with President Macky Sall early this week in capital Dakar.
Ahmed Al Khateeb was received Monday October 9 by the Senegalese leader reports say. The Saudi official reportedly carried a message of King Salman to Sall, seeking Senegal’s backing for Saudi Arabia’s venture to host the 2034 football World Cup.
The Arab country announced last week plans to host the 2034 edition of the tournament after failing to win the credentials to host previous editions.
Yasser Al Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation argued that the 2034 FIFA World Cup is the kingdom’s invitation to the world to witness Saudi Arabia’s development, experience its culture and become part of its history.
“We are extremely committed to presenting the most competitive bid possible that will also help unite the world through football,” he said. The Gulf country is in competition with Australia which is also interested in staging the world’s most popular sport event. Due to FIFA rules, only Asia or Oceania could bid for the 2034 World Cup. Aside from Senegal, Mauritania has also voiced support for the Saudi bid.