World’s First Sky Stadium to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup Matches in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Ahead of this, the country is preparing to build the world's first sky stadium. This stadium, named Neom, will be 350 meters (1,150 feet) above the ground. It will be able to seat 46,000 people at a time. The stadium will be built within The Line Project in Neom City, a futuristic smart city.

This $1 billion project, with a capacity of 46,000 spectators, will begin in 2027 and be completed by 2032.

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Saudi Arabia prepares ahead of FIFA World Cup

The project is estimated to cost approximately US$1 billion. Construction will begin in 2027 and be completed in 2032, just two years before the World Cup. The stadium will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. It will be the first stadium of its kind to be completely environmentally friendly.

Hosting World Cup Matches

The Neom Sky Stadium will host matches from the World Cup's group stage, round of 32, round of 16, and quarter-finals. An aerial concept video of the stadium has gone viral on social media, enthusing football fans.

What are the construction challenges?

This project is extremely challenging for engineers, as building a stadium at such a height is not easy. Some parts of the Neom project have already been delayed, but officials say all World Cup-related work will be completed on time.

Reactions on Social Media

While people are excited about this Sky Stadium on the internet, many users are also making fun of it. Some have even compared it to the movie Final Destination. Some joked that there will be long lines for the elevators on match day.

Some Questions Under Discussion

Will the stadium be completed on time and within the estimated budget?

How will the heat and wind at high altitude affect players and fans?

Will this facility be exclusive to the World Cup? Will it be used for local events?

Summary

FIFA has described Neom Stadium as a new standard for sustainable sports infrastructure. The stadium will be built near Neom's Health and Wellbeing District. The entire Neom project will be completed by 2045, but the stadium portion will be ready in 2032, just in time for the 2034 World Cup. Saudi Arabia is also building the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, which will have a capacity of 92,760 spectators and will be ready by 2029.

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