Neom Stadium Plans Shelved Amid Economic Pressures

Saudi Arabia has quietly shelved plans for a $2.5bn stadium in its flagship Neom development, which was set to be one of the venues for the 2034 Fifa World Cup.

The project, located 350 metres above ground level within The Line, had been planned to seat 46,000 spectators and would have been one of the most futuristic sports venues in Saudi Arabia's World Cup plans.

The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces mounting economic and security pressures, including a decline in oil activity that has led to an estimated budget deficit this year and a 3.6 percent drop in real GDP.