Egypt has formally requested to host group-stage matches during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Hany Abo Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), made this appeal during the 14th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo. In his address, Abo Rida expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s capability to organize a historic World Cup and extended his best wishes to the Saudi organizers.
He also urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to consider granting Egypt the honor of hosting one of the tournament’s groups in 2034. Abo Rida highlighted that 2034 will mark the centenary of Egypt’s participation as the first African nation in a World Cup, referencing their appearance in the 1934 tournament held in Italy.
As the sole candidate, Saudi Arabia was officially designated by the FIFA Congress on December 11 as the host of the 2034 World Cup.
This selection positions Saudi Arabia as the third Arab country to host the World Cup, following Qatar in 2022 and Morocco in 2030, the latter co-hosting with Spain and Portugal. Egyptian officials had previously expressed interest in hosting the World Cup in 2034 and had launched an unsuccessful bid to co-host the 2030 edition alongside Saudi Arabia and Greece.
