Cyberpunk, anyone? Saudi Arabia unveils futuristic sporting arenas for 2034 FIFA World Cup

Through the looking glass: It feels premature to start thinking about the 2034 FIFA World Cup. While it’s still 10 years into the future, it is also only three tournaments away. The presumptive host country, Saudi Arabia, already has plans to build multiple high-tech stadiums for the event. It released concept art of two arenas that look like they belong in a sci-fi video game.

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to construct 11 new soccer stadiums as part of its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, including the futuristic Neom Stadium. The arena, built in an equally futuristic “smart city,” will be over 350 meters above the ground. The artist’s depictions look like pure imagination, and they may well be in the end.

The design has a roof featuring polygonal shapes that look like broken glass that create a mirror-like effect inside the stadium (above and below). The architects are shooting for a design run entirely on renewable energy, primarily wind and solar power, with seating capacity for 46,000 fans. The country estimates completion by 2032.

The stadium’s design aligns with the aesthetic of The Line, a 106-mile-long linear city characterized by reflective walls, a vertical housing system, high-speed rail, and a commitment to 100% renewable energy. However, The Line has faced significant criticism. The BBC reported that the government authorized the military to use lethal force to clear villages in its path if necessary. There are also concerns about the resources required for its construction.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans have raised accusations from human rights advocates of “sportswashing,” which refers to using major sporting events to improve a government’s reputation and gain positive media attention. The Verge notes that the country faced similar criticism for its plans to host the first Olympic Esports Games.

In addition to Neom Stadium, Saudi Arabia plans to build the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, a three-tiered structure set against a cliff (above), surrounded by colored glass and LED screens. All these plans are still in the render stage, meaning the final structures may differ significantly from the initial designs.

The ambitious nature of these projects and the futuristic and unconventional designs underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to significantly impact the global stage through the 2034 FIFA World Cup bid. However, the execution of these plans will be closely watched, given the controversies and challenges associated with such large-scale developments. These early renders could easily wind up as pure fantasy.