Neom Stadium, a 2034 World Cup Venue, Reportedly Shelved Indefinitely

So, get this: Saudi Arabia has decided to put the Neom Stadium project on hold. This stadium was supposed to seat 46,000 fans for the 2034 World Cup, but now it’s off the table indefinitely, according to Reuters. It was supposed to be part of a bigger development called The Line, soaring 350 meters above the ground and was touted as the "most unique stadium in the world." This is just another hiccup for Neom, which has faced numerous issues, like the CEO leaving in 2024. In fact, the Public Investment Fund looked into the feasibility of The Line in 2025, and there have been layoffs since then. They also scrapped plans for the Trojena ski resort for the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Now, it’s uncertain if they’ll build a replacement stadium for the World Cup or stick with 14 venues, since the last World Cup used 16. The World Cup 2034 Hosting Higher Authority mentioned that venue development is still in progress, and other projects, like the Aramco Stadium, are moving forward and set to open soon.