Laporta praises Saudi Arabia: World-class facilities and a promising future for the 2034 World Cup
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, praised the tremendous development taking place in Saudi Arabia's sports sector, expressing his great pleasure at being in the Kingdom during the Spanish Super Cup. In media statements, Laporta affirmed that Saudi Arabia has successfully established itself as a global destination for hosting major sporting events, highlighting the world-class quality of its infrastructure and facilities.
Praise for the infrastructure and organization
Laporta said: “Saudi Arabia has firmly established itself on the sporting map by hosting numerous international events, most notably the Spanish Super Cup. It boasts fantastic sporting facilities and infrastructure, and this isn't just my opinion; it's what the team's coaches and players have told me. We found top-notch training grounds, and the pitches here are excellent and perfectly suited for entertaining football. Everything about the organization was superb and outstanding.”.
The president of the Catalan club added: “We are completely satisfied and happy to be here. When a team the size of Barcelona travels to play matches and stay for several days, it is essential that the facilities and logistics are of a high standard, and this is what we have found on the ground. Therefore, I extend my thanks to all the organizers in the Kingdom for the warm welcome and professionalism in their work.”.
Saudi Arabia as a global sports destination
Laporta's remarks come amid the significant transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's sports sector as part of Vision 2030, which aims to enhance quality of life and diversify the economy. In recent years, the Kingdom has successfully hosted major events, from Formula 1 races and world boxing championships to the Italian and Spanish Super Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organizational and security capabilities.
Predictions for a historic World Cup in 2034
The president of FC Barcelona also spoke about Saudi Arabia's winning bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, expressing his great optimism about the success of this global event. He said, "I predict great success for the Kingdom in hosting the World Cup, and I expect a huge turnout because this country is wonderful, very safe, and has outstanding football facilities. It's true that the culture may be different from Europe, but cultural diversity always creates a rich experience, and holding the World Cup in this atmosphere will be an exceptional experience for fans around the world.".
The bid to host the 2034 World Cup is a strategic step for the Kingdom, as it seeks to present an unprecedented version of the tournament, taking advantage of its geographical location that connects the three continents, and the passion of the region’s inhabitants for football.
A broad fan base and boundless passion
Regarding the Saudi fans, Laporta said: “The fans here are very passionate about football, and our team has a large fan base in this country. We saw that clearly in the semi-final match, as well as in previous editions of the Super Cup. Let me thank our fans in Saudi Arabia for their great support of the team and for welcoming us and the players.”.
Laporta concluded his remarks about the upcoming final by saying, "It will be a tough match against a strong opponent, but we hope to win and bring joy to our fans in Saudi Arabia and around the world." These statements underscore the deep connection between major European clubs and their fans in the Arab region, where sport has become a bridge for cultural and civilizational exchange.
