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Saudi Arabia set to host World Cup 2034 after Australia pull out of the bidding leaving no competition

The deadline to submit bids to host the tournament in a decade's time is today

SAUDI ARABIA is set to host the World Cup in 2034.

That’s after rival bidders Australia pulled out of the running on deadline day, leaving no competition for the Middle Eastern nation.

Saudi Arabia looks set to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia dropped out of the race
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Saudi Arabia looks set to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia dropped out of the raceCredit: EPA

Saudi Arabia launched their bid to host the 2034 World Cup in September.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is looking to transform his country in a project called Vision 2030.

And that includes building a brand new £1TRILLION mega-city — which could end up hosting the entire World Cup.

SunSport exclusively revealed this month that Saudi Arabia, a strict Muslim country, is even ready to suspend its ban on alcohol to attract football supporters from around the globe.

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But there was a fly in the ointment when we also told you that Australia had launched a last-ditch bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

Having impressed at the Qatar tournament before crashing out in the last-16 to eventual winners Argentina, the Aussies were hoping to succeed with an 11th-hour proposal.

A joint four-way bid including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore had even been mooted ahead of today's deadline.

But have now announced they are out of the running to host the World Cup in 2034, paving the way for sole bidders Saudi Arabia to win.

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Instead, the Aussies hope to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup AND the 2029 Club World Cup.

A lengthy statement read: “We have explored the opportunity to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition.

“We wish FIFA and the eventual hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2034 the greatest success for the good of the game and for everyone who loves our sport.”

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