Saudi Arabia has effectively been confirmed as the host of football’s 2034 Fifa World Cup, after the only other potential bidder, Australia, withdrew from the bidding process. While Fifa is not expected to officially announce the location for the tournament until late next year, the kingdom is already taking steps to prepare for the event.

Riyadh is in the process of upgrading infrastructure and building stadiums as part of its preparations for hosting the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and the sports ministry has invited construction firms to prequalify for contracts to build sports stadiums as part of its SR10.1bn ($2.7bn) capital projects programme. 

In order to host the 2034 World Cup, the kingdom will need a minimum of 14 all-seater stadiums. Therefore, in the latest edition of MEED Business Review, the construction team looks at which local, regional and international construction companies are likely to be among the frontrunners to build the Saudi World Cup 2034 stadiums.

This month's exclusive 13-page market report, meanwhile, spotlights Bahrain, as Manama navigates a delicate period for both its diplomatic decisions and fiscal management. Reconciliation with Qatar and reservations over Israel dominate the government's decision-making.

MEED's latest issue is also packed with analysis on topics including economic activity in the region, the rising number of regional project disputes, the exit of international oil firms from Iraq and how Chinese investment is poised to accelerate Kuwait's projects market.

This issue also examines the UAE's top 10 clean energy projects and looks ahead to how the focus of Dubai's construction market will shift from real estate to public infrastructure projects in 2024.

In addition, MEED has interviewed John Kelly, president for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Rolls-Royce, about the UK power propulsion maker's path to net-zero as it tests technologies to enable the adoption of sustainable aviation and other synthetic fuels.

In this month's industry report, MEED reveals its latest ranking of the region's leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors. Amid a major reshuffle, France's Technip Energies has leap-frogged the field to take the top spot. At the same time, an oil and gas projects boom is driving recruitment among EPC contractors.

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the December 2023 issue of MEED Business Review. 

Must-read sections in the December 2023 issue of MEED Business Review include:

> AGENDA: Saudi Arabia prepares for World Cup 2034

> SAUDI STADIUMS: The frontrunners for the Saudi World Cup 2034 stadiums

> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Oil contractors fear work is fading in Iraq

> KUWAIT PROJECTS: Chinese investment aims to accelerate Kuwait projects

> CONSTRUCTION: Dubai construction prepares for shift in 2024

> LEGAL: Middle East project disputes increasing

> ECONOMIC INDEX: UAE economy reclaims pole position

> CLIMATE: Top 10 UAE clean energy projects

> INTERVIEW: Rolls-Royce charts net-zero path

> BAHRAIN MARKET FOCUS:

> COMMENT: Manama faces tricky terrain
> GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY: Foreign policy issues cloud Bahrain’s horizon
> BANKS: Bahrain banks have cause for cheer
> OIL & GAS: Bahrain charts pathway to net-zero future
> POWER & WATER: Bahrain takes renewables strides
> CONSTRUCTION: Bahrain waits for major infrastructure projects
> DATABANK: Bahrain growth holds as fiscal pressure eases

> MEED COMMENTS: 
> Nuclear remains an option for Riyadh and Washington
> Dubai construction is not booming
> Exxon’s exit tightens China’s grip on Iraq oil sector
> Algerian mining to support carmakers

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects step up for ninth month

> OCTOBER 2023 CONTRACTS: Region signs record monthly contract awards

> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Saudi gigaprojects 2024

> OPINION: The Holy Land and delusions it inspires

> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts