Riyadh: F©d©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino praised Saudi Arabia's growing prominence on the global football stage, highlighting its ambitious investments in the sport and its successful hosting of international tournaments. He congratulated the Kingdom once again on being awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Infantino expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, set to begin on June 14 in the United States. He mentioned that Saudi club Al-Hilal will represent Asia in a group that includes Spain's Real Madrid. Infantino also noted the sequence of major football events, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, followed by the 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia.

Infantino emphasized football's unparalleled global influence, with over 5 billion followers, calling it a powerful platform for economic and cultural investment.