Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans for the 2034 FIFA World Cup have sparked widespread discussion after a viral video claimed the country was building a “floating stadium” suspended high above the desert. The futuristic clip, widely shared on social media, was presented as part of the NEOM megacity project, showing a stadium 350 meters in the air. However, officials and experts have clarified that the video is not genuine but an AI-generated concept with no official link to the Saudi World Cup bid.

According to reports, Saudi Arabia is indeed planning to build a major new stadium within the NEOM development area as part of its World Cup infrastructure. The proposed venue, referred to as the NEOM Stadium, is expected to seat around 46,000 spectators and could be completed by 2032, ahead of the 2034 tournament. However, it will be built on solid ground, not suspended in the air as shown in the viral video.

Fact-checking organizations and regional media have confirmed that no official design resembling a “sky stadium” has been released by Saudi authorities or FIFA. The online images were likely created using artificial intelligence, blending futuristic visuals with existing plans for NEOM’s “The Line” project.

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup vision includes 15 stadiums across multiple cities, focusing on sustainability and renewable energy in line with the country’s Vision 2030 plan. While the Kingdom aims to present a technologically advanced tournament, analysts have raised concerns about environmental impact and labour conditions as preparations intensify.

The NEOM development remains central to Saudi Arabia’s effort to redefine its image on the global stage, combining innovation with massive infrastructure growth. But for now, the much-talked-about “stadium in the sky” remains a digital fantasy rather than an approved World Cup venue.