Bangladesh, April 28 -- Saudi Arabias successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 marks a significant milestone in the Kingdoms broader Vision 2030 strategy. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has rapidly established itself as one of the worlds premier venues for major sporting events, using sport as a key pillar of economic diversification and social reform. The World Cup is set to be the largest and most symbolic event in this transformation, offering the Kingdom a platform to showcase its cultural depth, administrative capabilities, attractive tax regime, and growing foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities.

Yet, as the excitement builds, it is crucial to examine the costs and benefits associated with hosting such a mass...