December 12th 2024.
In exciting news for football fans around the world, Saudi Arabia has recently revealed its plans for 11 state-of-the-art stadiums as the official host of the 2034 World Cup. These plans include a jaw-dropping stadium in a city that has yet to be built.
The city, known as Neom, is set to be an £800 billion megacity located in the middle of the desert. It's an ambitious project that aims to create a futuristic, solar-powered glass city spanning 75 miles. What sets Neom apart from other cities is its focus on pedestrians and green spaces, with a goal of minimizing its environmental impact.
One of the most impressive features of Neom is the Neom Suspended Stadium, which will tower 350 meters above the ground. This stadium will have a capacity of 46,000 spectators and will host quarter-final matches during the World Cup. It's part of a larger section of Neom called the Hidden Marina, which will also include a man-made marina with a stunning arch for boats to pass through.
Designed to be a visual masterpiece, the stadium will have an LED-lit roof that resembles cracked glass, creating a mirror effect for visitors. Its unique beehive-like design is just one of the many awe-inspiring elements of Neom. Once completed, the city will also feature towering skyscrapers, an artificial mountain and ski resort, an octagonal floating port, and a sophisticated network of AI and robots to cater to its wealthy residents.
Among the many luxurious amenities planned for Neom is the exclusive beach club, Xaynor, which aims to attract "the most fascinating people in the world." There will also be a luxury golf resort and glass apartments hanging from a giant outcropping in the sand, offering a harmonious blend of nature and urban living.
Despite some skeptics doubting the feasibility of such a grand project, Giles Pendleton, COO for The Line, shared aerial images of Neom to silence the naysayers. These images showcase the massive excavation work already underway, with huge lines etched into the desert and mountains.
The Line is set to be a sci-fi lover's dream, with its futuristic angled glass skyscrapers lining the streets. The city will also have a marina and is estimated to cost over £800 billion. It's an enormous undertaking that will span 170 kilometers of desert and mountain terrain.
In response to the critics, Mr. Pendleton said, "Show a cross-section of the world's largest building site from the mountains to the sea." He also shared that over 100 million cubic meters of sand have already been moved for the project.
The ambitious goal is for Neom to have nine million residents and to be fully powered by renewable energy. Bin Salman, the prince of Saudi Arabia, has even compared the construction of The Line to the timeless Pyramids of Egypt and emphasized the importance of putting people first. While the prince initially hoped for Neom to be completed by 2030, it's expected that it could take up to 50 years to finish.
In addition to creating a modern, sustainable city, Neom also aims to create thousands of new jobs and reduce the nation's reliance on oil. However, there are potential challenges ahead, such as securing foreign investment and addressing concerns about human rights violations and the forced removal of tribes from the area.
Another ethical issue that has been raised is the potential harm to migratory birds. With its towering buildings and reflective surfaces, The Line may become a dangerous obstacle for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa each year. Professor William Sutherland, director of research at Cambridge University's zoology department, has expressed his concerns, stating that "unless they do something about it, there's a serious risk that there could be lots of damage to migratory birds."
Despite these challenges, the first stages of construction have begun, and Neom is slowly starting to take shape. It's an exciting and ambitious project that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world. We can't wait to see what the future holds for Neom and the 2034 World Cup hosted in this groundbreaking city.
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