Brazilian football superstar calls Saudi Arabia’s bid the “best project” he’s seen, praising its focus on players’ needs and the country’s growing football infrastructure.

Brazilian football icon Neymar has given his full backing to Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, describing it as “the best project I’ve ever seen.” Neymar, who has been living in Riyadh since joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, toured the exhibition for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid and was particularly impressed by the focus on creating a world-class experience for both players and fans.

The exhibition, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to secure the World Cup, showcased the five proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha, and NEOM — alongside interactive displays of the 15 planned stadiums for the event. The tournament will also feature a 48-team format, and Saudi Arabia’s bid is centred around its geographical advantage, with 60% of the global population living within an eight-hour flight from the Kingdom.

Neymar praised the bid’s thoughtful planning, particularly the focus on player welfare. “They’re thinking about the players… making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster,” Neymar said, underlining the importance of player comfort in ensuring a successful tournament.

Having lived in Saudi Arabia for over a year, Neymar also noted the growing football culture in the Kingdom, which has seen a rapid rise in youth training centres and a significant investment in infrastructure, including an increase in registered football coaches. Neymar believes that these developments will help make Saudi Arabia more competitive by 2034.

In addition to the infrastructure, Neymar acknowledged the influence of international football stars like himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema, who have relocated to the country and are helping to inspire the next generation of Saudi footballers. “We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,” he said.

Saudi Arabia officially submitted its bid for the 2034 World Cup in July, with the theme “Growing. Together.” FIFA is set to announce the winning bid on December 11 during a FIFA Congress. Neymar’s support further strengthens the Kingdom’s aspirations to host the global event, with a growing football scene that has already begun to make an impact both regionally and internationally.