Club World Cup let visitors see how Saudi Arabia wants to change ahead of 2034 World Cup


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JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Hosting the Club World Cup in Jeddah that ended on Friday let soccer officials and fans see how Saudi Arabian soccer and society is changing and preparing to host the men's World Cup in 2034. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has put sports like soccer, golf and boxing at the heart of lavish plans for a post-oil economy known as Vision 2030. Critics say it is also sportswashing to soften an image damaged by the kingdom's human rights record. Saudi women have more social freedoms and cities such as Jeddah are set to be transformed over the next decade.

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SoccerNational Sports
Graham Dunbar

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