Cristiano Ronaldo backs Saudi Arabia to deliver 'best World Cup ever' in 2034

Kingdom confirmed as host nation for global finals at Fifa congress on Wednesday

Cristiano Ronaldo has heaped praise on the progress of football in Saudi Arabia and backed the kingdom to put on the "best World Cup ever" in 2034.

Fifa confirmed on Wednesday that the global finals will be heading to the Middle East for a second time with Saudi Arabia officially ratified as host nation at an extraordinary congress held by the game's governing body. Morocco, Spain and Portugal were also awarded joint hosting rights for the 2030 tournament.

Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr in December 2022 was a watershed moment for football in the kingdom as heavy investment transformed the face of the domestic Pro League. Ronaldo has since been joined by more global stars such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez.

That growth is now being mirrored on the international stage with the AFC's Asian Cup set to arrive in 2027, and football's biggest show following seven years later.

After Saudi Arabia was formally declared the host nation of the 2034 tournament, Ronaldo released a video on social media, saying: "2034 will be the best World Cup ever. It's amazing! The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything and after what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever.

"One or two of these kids that I will be together with today will play in the World Cup. I believe that they will continue to grow, especially the women as well, that they grow very well too. We have to grow together in everything. Not only in football but in life and I will motivate them to work hard, believe in that."

The 39-year-old said he had witnessed a huge improvement in the standard of the game since his move from Manchester United two years ago, adding: "The league has grown so fast in the last year. If you see the difference, it's amazing.

"You have like seven or eight big clubs right now in the league that are very difficult to beat. The evolution of the players, for example, my teammates and the other teams too, that Saudis grow so fast and are becoming better players.

"The country is unbelievable. The Saudis are very good people. Every year, they do big events, football matches, boxing – entertainment is very high. The future is very bright in my opinion. And I am happy to be part of the success of this country and I will be here for sure to see the World Cup."

Wednesday proved to be a double celebration for Ronaldo, with his homeland Portugal set to host a World Cup for the first time in 2030.

“A dream come true,” Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post that had a photo of him celebrating while wearing Portugal’s jersey and featured the words: “The Most Special World Cup ever.”

Ronaldo is the only man to have scored at five World Cup tournaments but is unlikely to still be playing in 2030.

There was also a message of congratulations from the UAE on Wednesday night, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, praising Saudi Arabia's "great ambition" and also welcoming Morocco's participation in hosting the 2030 tournament in a post on X, saying: "The World Cup will be in our region for two consecutive tournaments. Arabs are living today the joy of the great Saudi and Moroccan achievement."

The 2034 tournament is set to be played in 15 stadiums across five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and Neom. Ten of those stadiums will be newly constructed, including the King Salman Stadium, a 92,000-capacity venue in Riyadh set to stage the opening match and the final.

The Saudi sports ministry released a promotional video made with computer-generated imagery to offer a first look at the stadium which is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

Also, with both the 2026 tournament – to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico – and 2030 being staged across multiple nations, the 2034 finals will be the first time a single host welcomes 48 teams following the tournament's expansion.