Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has expressed strong support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, praising the Kingdom’s ambitious and player-focused plans. Neymar, a star forward for Al Hilal and Brazil’s all-time top scorer, recently toured the Saudi FIFA World Cup 2034 bid exhibition and was thoroughly impressed by the vision showcased. He described it as “the best project I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Neymar’s exclusive tour, led by Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi Arabia World Cup bid unit, highlighted five host cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM—through immersive digital displays and models of 15 proposed stadiums. The bid emphasizes convenience and accessibility, with most of the world’s population within an 8-hour flight to Saudi Arabia, and average flight times between cities under two hours. Neymar appreciated the thought given to the players’ experience, noting, “They’re thinking about the players so that there are no long flights, making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.”
Reflecting on his experience living in Saudi Arabia over the past year, Neymar praised the country’s rapid growth in football and the warmth of its people. “From a distance, we have a very different perspective of what the country is really like… When people come here, they have a very positive perspective, just like I did. I was surprised,” he shared. Neymar highlighted the excitement of Saudi youth, with 63% of the population under 30, noting how their enthusiasm creates an “incredible buzz” and genuine support for players.
Despite an injury setback, Neymar remains committed to making an impact both on and off the field. With a shared vision alongside fellow football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, he aspires to inspire the next generation and help promote the game globally.
As Saudi Arabia positions itself for a historic single-nation, 48-team World Cup, Neymar’s endorsement reflects the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a hub for global football, aimed at welcoming the world to experience its unique culture and love for the game.
