Sky News Daily

How did Saudi Arabia land the 2034 World Cup?

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Episode notes

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the men's 2024 World Cup.   
  
It will be the crowning event in its sport spending spree, having already reportedly invested £5bn since 2021, as it tries to diversify away from oil. 
  
Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' Rob Harris and Middle East football expert James M Dorsey to discuss what it means for football and the kingdom. 
  
The plans are not lacking in ambition and include a new stadium 350m above ground level, in an as-yet unbuilt futuristic carless city. 
  
But big questions remain about how the country landed the cup, with its bid unopposed and the country consistently facing claims of human rights abuses.   
 
Podcast Producer: Alex Bishop 
Editor: Philly Beaumont