Saudi Arabia seeks SI’s support on FIFA World Cup bid, High Commissioner Sisilo thanks Ambassador Khuzaim for making SI as ‘first port of call’
SAUDI Arabia has requested Solomon Islands Government to support its bid to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup Finals in 2034, a government insider said.
“On Monday last week Saudi Arabia became the first country to submit its letter of intent and signed declaration to FIFA to host the men’s World Cup finals in 2034.
“And two days later, it’s Canberra-based Ambassador to Solomon Islands Sultan Fahad A Bin Khuzaim, called on the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Robert Sisilo asking Solomon Islands to support the Saudi bid in a contest open only to members of the Asian and Oceania soccer governing bodies,” the insider told Solomon Star yesterday.
The government insider said Ambassador Khuzaim told High Commissioner Sisilo that, “FIFA demands seven existing stadiums on a minimum slate of 14 soccer-suitable venues of at least 40,000-seating capacity for the 2034 World Cup finals. And with our preparations to host the 2027 Asian Cup, we will meet that FIFA criteria.”
Solomon Star understands Ambassador Khuzaim presented his credentials to the Governor General on 27 July and has since visited Solomon Islands twice.
The government insider said High Commissioner Sisilo thanked Ambassador Khuzaim for making Solomon Islands as one of his first ‘ports of call’ to rally support for what he labelled as a worthy bid and assured the ambassador that he will send the Saudi Crown Prince’s request to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and will revert to him as soon as he gets a response.
“I understand your soccer federation has received pledges of support from over 70 member federations and that FIFA has set tight deadlines of 31 October for federations to formally express interest in hosting and 30 November to return a signed bidding agreement that requires the support of national governments. I wish your bid all the best,” Ambassador Sisilo was quoted to have said by the government insider.
FIFA’s 211 member federations will have the final rubber-stamping decision on picking the 2034 World Cup host late next year (2024) through a process which the 37-member FIFA Council Chaired by President Gianni Infantino will determine.
Until then, the Saudi soccer project has seen the sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund (PIF) buy English club ‘Newcastle” and taking majority control of four leading Saudi clubs which have spent massively this season on bringing soccer players from European clubs – the likes of Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema – to play in Saudi Arabia.
By IAN LADDS
Solomon Star, Honiara
