Summary

  1. Postpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    The legends are now cartoons doing a quiz show. Yes, that is right.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:15 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    #bbcfootball on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I live and work in Saudi. This place is changing at pace and events like this will help it to do so even quicker. Change needs to come from within and being on the world stage creates positive pressure. We should see this as another step in the right direction and support the efforts being made by the Saudi people.

    Miles, Riyadh

  3. Spot the World Cup legendspublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    Another video plays with some World Cup legends on the screen. All looking very fresh in their suits. Luis Figo is present.

  4. More on the 2030 bid from proposed hostspublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    We are now going across to the Spanish and Portuguese football federations.

    Again no subtitles have been provided by the Fifa live stream.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    #bbcfootball on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Football sold its soul a long time ago. This Saudi World Cup just confirms that. No actual football fan can be comfortable with this, surely?

    Dave, Manchester

  6. Back to Infantinopublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    We are back to Gianni Infantino. I reckon this could still take a while....

  7. What would the fan experience be like?published at 15:03 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    Map of Saudi Arabia host cities

    The Saudi bid promises plans to expand airports, introduce high-speed rail links and enhance public transport.

    However, the proposed host cities are hundreds of miles apart and the vast distances between stadiums means fans who want to move between host cities are likely to have to rely on air travel.

    Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and around nine times the size of the UK.

    The World Cup is being expanded and will feature 48 teams from 2026 onwards. That is an increase from the 32 that competed in Qatar.

  8. 2030 Word Cup bid discussion ongoing...published at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    There are no subtitles provided by Fifa's live stream, which we are streaming at the top of this page.

    No official announcement yet, they are currently discussing the 2030 World Cup bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco, speaking in Spanish.

  9. What does 2034 World Cup say about Saudi sporting influence?published at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    Dan Roan
    BBC sports editor

    For many, ratification of a Saudi World Cup would be the ultimate expression of the power the country now wields across sports, and the opportunity, disruption and controversy that have accompanied it.

    The kingdom has invested billions of pounds staging events since 2021, when the country's de-facto ruler the Crown Prince made it a key part of his 'Vision 2030' strategy to modernise and diversify the economy. The kingdom has since hosted Formula 1, football's Spanish and Italian cup finals, the Club World Cup, and top-level boxing, golf, horse-racing and tennis.

    The country's Public Investment Fund has also launched the breakaway LIV golf series, taken control of four Saudi Pro League clubs and purchased Newcastle United.

    Meanwhile a recent report by Danish organisation Play the Game has revealed that Saudi Arabia has signed more than 900 sponsorship deals, , externaland made dozens of formalised agreements with football federations as it extends its influence across the sports landscape.

  10. Final venue fit for a King?published at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    King Salman International Stadium, which will host the opening game and the finalImage source, Saudi 2034

    Eight of the proposed tournament's stadiums will be in the Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh - including the planned 92,760-capacity King Salman International Stadium, which will host the opening game and the final.

    Of the 15 stadiums, four are already built, eight are planned and three are under construction and will host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.

  11. Could it be another winter tournament?published at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    There have been reports, external that the major European leagues are against any proposals to schedule the tournament in the winter, as was the case in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    Temperatures in Saudi Arabia are at their mildest between October and April.

    During those months, average daily temperatures in host cities range between 15C and 30C.

    Between May and September, average daily temperatures range between 27C and 43C in inland areas, and 27C to 38C in coastal areas.

    Speaking to the BBC, Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz said organisers were "definitely studying" whether it could be staged in the summer.

    "Why not see what the possibilities are to do it in the summer? Whether it is summer or winter it doesn't matter for us, as long as we make sure that we [deliver] the right atmosphere to host such an event," he said.

  12. What are the Saudi Arabia World Cup stadia?published at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    A Mexican wave & clifftop location...

    Qiddiya Coast Stadium near RiyadhImage source, Saudi 2034

    The Qiddiya Coast Stadium will feature a ripple design to evoke the look of a Mexican wave...

    Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, RiyadhImage source, Saudi 2034

    ...while the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh will be located on a clifftop.

  13. Fifa's Infantino continues speech on 'respect'published at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "We know that this was only possible because there was understanding for each other. There was respect for each other. Everyone moved one or more steps towards the other.

    "Everyone renounced and everyone gave up something for the benefit of all, for the greater good. These are precisely the values that are at the heart of Fifa and football."

  14. 'Let's unite the world with football'published at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "We have the responsibility to unite and not to divide. No more and no less. This is exactly what we do.

    "Dear friends, we live unity. We live inclusivity and we live football. Let's make history together. Let's unite the world with football and through football today."

  15. 'Message of unity' - Fifa's Infantinopublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "In today's divided world where nobody can agree on anything, to be able to agree on something like this is definitely an incredible message of unity and positivity and we need these messages today."

  16. 'A unique proposal that truly unites the world' - Infantinopublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "Congratulations to all the bidders for putting up a great dossier, but I would like to put on record my big, big thank you to the six confederation presidents and to their teams.

    "Thank you to all Fifa council members. Thank you for your vision, for your courage, for your leadership and ultimately for your unanimous decision to reach a historic compromise. A consensus and an agreement in order to present to all of you, a unique proposal that truly unites the world."

  17. 2030 men's World Cup in six countries across three continentspublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "Dear friends, what better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2030 than to have the World Cup in six countries, in three continents, with 48 teams and 104 epic matches.

    "The world will stand still and will celebrate the 100 years of the World Cup."

  18. 'Like 104 Super Bowls' - the 2026 men's World Cuppublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "The next World Cup in 2026... three countries... 48 teams participating... 104 Super Bowls being played in one month.

    "And the year after, in 2027, we go to Brazil for the Fifa women's World Cup. The first time the women's World Cup has been played in South America."

  19. Fifa: We are bringing football to more countriespublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    FIFA

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "We are bringing football to more countries and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It actually enhanced the opportunity."

  20. 2022 World Cup was 'an incredible success story'published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December

    Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa: "What an incredible success story the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was."