DUBAI, UAE — As Gulf countries and the rest of the world prepare to welcome the new year 2024, 2023 stands out as a year filled with events, particularly in Gulf sports achievements, with Saudi football prominently dominating the region’s football scene. It’s time to reflect on the most significant accomplishments of the past year.
Transformation Process
Saudi football experienced a historic season with top clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahly recruiting international star players such as Brazil’s Neymar, France’s Karim Benzema, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.
This recruitment was part of a transformative process, highlighted by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s acquisition of a 75 percent stake in Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahly, Al-Nasr, and Al-Hilal last June. Each non-profit sports institution retained a 25 percent ownership stake in each club.
According to the Transfer Market website, which specializes in player transfers, Saudi clubs invested approximately $1.026 billion in the final summer transfer market. The Saudi Al-Sharq website reports that this figure includes both internal and external transfers, representing 46 percent of the spending by English Premier League clubs, the richest in the world, which spent about $2.231 billion during the summer Mercato.
A FIFA report indicates that the Saudi League ranked second globally in acquiring foreign players, bringing in 201 players at a cost of $875.4 million. This follows the English League, which acquired 449 players for $1.98 billion. The Saudi League’s spending constituted roughly 85 percent of the total expenditure by Asian clubs, which recruited about 1,265 players for a total of $1.1 billion.
Additionally, clubs in the Kingdom earned $15.7 million from a total of $65 million in revenues from selling player contracts abroad, accounting for 24 percent of these revenues.
According to the Football Observatory of the Center for Sports Studies (SES), the Saudi League spent around $1.7 billion on player acquisitions between 2014 and 2023. This expenditure ranks it eighth worldwide, trailing the leagues of England, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, China, and Portugal.
2034 World Cup
Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), announced on November 1, 2023, that Saudi Arabia had secured the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This selection makes it the third Arab country to host the event, following Qatar in 2022 and Morocco in 2030.
Infantino revealed that the International Federation Council approved Saudi Arabia’s bid as it was the sole candidate. The bid received support from local federations in Asia, Africa, North and Central America, and Europe, with around 90 federations endorsing Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
In response to the victory, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal expressed the Kingdom’s eagerness to welcome everyone to the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He emphasized the importance of respecting local rules and regulations, stating, “Like any other country, we have rules and regulations that everyone must follow and respect. We respect the rules and regulations in the United Kingdom, whether we believe in them or not, and we have not encountered any problems in the 85 events we have participated in.”
World Club Cup
Saudi Arabia hosted the 2023 Club World Cup for the first time in its history from December 12 to 22, 2023. This event was the final edition featuring seven teams before its expansion to 32 teams in 2025.
Manchester City, owned by the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Fund, emerged as the champion, defeating Brazilian team Fluminense 4-0 in the final at the Radiant Jewel Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Following the match, Al-Faisal acknowledged the success of the global event, stating that it met all expectations and showcased the Kingdom’s outstanding ability to host major continental and international sporting events.
The Saudi Minister also affirmed that hosting the Club World Cup showcases the Kingdom’s capability to organize major continental and international sporting events.
Emirates Manchester City
Manchester City achieved a milestone by winning the Champions League in June 2023, becoming the first club owned by Gulf and Arab entities to claim this title. This triumph marks a significant accomplishment for the Emirati investment in the club, which began 15 years ago. Spanish coach Pep Guardiola expressed his appreciation for the club’s management.
In September, Manchester City celebrated the 15th anniversary of its ownership transfer to the Emirates, following its acquisition by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, in 2008. This period has been marked by numerous local and continental triumphs, with the club securing 22 titles, including seven league championships, a remarkable achievement in such a short time.
Qatar
Qatar continued its streak of hosting major sports tournaments in 2023, with 81 events across various sports, including 14 global and 23 international tournaments.
Notable events included the “King of the Court” beach volleyball tournament, the Elite Beach Volleyball Finals, the Qatar “ExxonMobil” Men’s Open Tennis Championship, and the “Qatar Total Energies” Women’s Open Tennis Championship.
In March 2023, Qatar hosted the World Cup for artistic gymnastics (men and women), the 37th edition of the Qatar World Open Amateur Golf Championship, the World Shooting Cup Doha 2023, and the Qatar Oreed Grand Padel Championship.
Additionally, the Longines World Show Jumping Champions Tour, a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Show Jumping Olympics, and the 28th Qatar International Table Tennis Championship took place in Qatar. Qatar is set to begin 2024 by hosting the Asian Football Cup for the third time, scheduled from January 12 to February 10.