Reuters reported on the 4th (local time) that Saudi Arabia has reportedly put on hold its plan to build the 'Neom Stadium' for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that plans to build Neom Stadium are currently on hold indefinitely.
Reuters added that MEED Project, a Dubai-based construction industry market intelligence company, is also classifying the Neom Stadium construction project with an estimated construction cost of $2.5 billion (3.3725 trillion won) as 'on hold' based on data from its analysis team that tracks bids and projects in the region.
Reuters also pointed out that, unlike other stadiums and facilities being built or renovated in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the 2034 World Cup, which are expected to be completed between 2026 and 2033 in the MEED project data, the expected completion date for Neom Stadium is not provided.
Neom Stadium attracted attention as the most ambitious stadium among the 15 stadiums being built or renovated in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the 2034 World Cup.
According to the construction plan released in 2024, NEOM Stardaum was to be built with 46,000 seats in NEOM, a low-carbon future new city under construction in Saudi Arabia, and was scheduled to be used for the group stage, round of 32, round of 16, and quarterfinals.
'The Line', a huge linear structure measuring 200m wide, 500m high, and 170km long in Neom City, is built on a cliff 350m above sea level, and is only accessible by self-driving cars and high-speed lifts. It also attracted attention in that it is operated with eco-friendly renewable energy such as wind and solar energy.
However, the construction of Neom Stadium appears to have been affected as Saudi Arabia began adjusting its plans to build 'The Line' in a situation where oil transportation was difficult and key infrastructure was damaged due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after the war that began with the US and Israel's attack on Iran in late February.
Previously, Yasir Al-Rumaiyaan, governor of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (PIF), which is constructing Neom City, said in April that 'The Line' is not a priority for Neom City and that it is not essential to complete it before 2030, which was originally set as the target for completion of the first phase. However, he added that no projects were canceled at that time.
Previously, Saudi Arabia's plan to drill a tunnel under 'The Line' to run highways, subways, and freight railroads also revealed that the consortium of Samsung C&T and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which won the tunnel construction contract, received an official letter from the ordering party in March to terminate the contract due to business reorganization.
Reuters reported that the Saudi government's media office and NEOM have not made any official comments regarding the suspension of construction of NEOM Stadium.
Saudi Arabia's World Cup hosting authorities also only stated that significant progress is being made in key stages of the construction project for the World Cup, but did not answer questions about Neom Stadium.
However, the newly built Aramco Stadium in the eastern city of Al Khobar is scheduled to be completed at the end of this year and host the first match in January next year, and other stadiums are also under construction, Reuters explained.
