Saudi Arabia officially got the green light to host the 2034 World Cup from FIFA on December 11, a decision that's stirred up quite a bit of controversy both before and after the announcement. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have voiced concerns, claiming this move could "put many lives at risk." Interestingly, this decision came just days after the spotlight was on the low attendance at Saudi Pro League matches.

The country's top football league has been making waves lately by signing some of the biggest stars in the game for eye-popping sums. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the most notable, and he’s even said he believes the 2034 World Cup will be the "best ever."

While matches featuring big teams like Ronaldo's Al Nassr tend to attract large crowds, games between the less popular teams often see much smaller turnouts.

A recent match between Al-Wehda, featuring ex-Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, and Al Okhdood drew a crowd of only 405 fans. Another game in October between Al Fayha and Al Riyadh had an even lower turnout, with just 390 supporters showing up. Al Fayha is now home to former Manchester United and AS Roma defender Chris Smalling, along with ex-Rangers winger Fashion Sakala, who scored in that match.

It's clear that attendance for a World Cup is always going to be way different from regular league games involving local clubs. World Cup matches attract fans from all over the globe, and there's usually a lot of enthusiasm for every team. However, there's a real concern that these stadiums might end up being underused after the tournament, which raises questions about the long-term viability of hosting such events.

Attendance is below expectations.

The biggest club stadium in Saudi Arabia is the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium located in Jeddah, which can hold up to 62,000 fans. It's home to both Al Ahli and Al Ettihad. However, according to Transfermarkt, both teams had a tough time filling the seats last season, averaging around 17,000 and 24,000 fans, respectively. The average attendance for the Pro League across all clubs was only 9,000, which is lower than even the third-tier leagues in England (9,500 for EFL League One) and Germany (9,200 for 3. Liga).

To prepare for the upcoming World Cup, the kingdom is set to upgrade around 15 stadiums, along with hotels and transport systems, for the 104-match tournament. One of the new stadiums is planned to be 350 meters above ground in Neom, a futuristic city still in the works, while another, named after the crown prince, will be perched on a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh.

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