‘Humanising Saudi football’: Netflix series paves way for country to host 2034 World Cup
The 6-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff made its debut just 3 weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia as hosts
A new Netflix series on Saudi football features packed stadiums and top-flight talent, but whether it can curb criticism of Riyadh’s bid to host World Cup 2034 is an open question.
The six-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff debuted just three weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia – the sole candidate – as host of the quadrennial spectacle.
The vote on Wednesday will be a crowning moment for de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of sport to amass influence and improve the Gulf kingdom’s global image.
Football has been at the heart of Prince Mohammed’s effort, and the Netflix series depicts how the Saudi Pro League has been transformed by the arrival of global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema – all of whom get ample screen time.
The show also seeks to highlight what one commentator describes as Saudi Arabia’s “historic passion for football” – clubs founded almost a century ago, and rivalries dating back nearly that long.
“The main accomplishment of the series is that it’s kind of humanising Saudi football,” said Danyel Reiche of Georgetown University in Qatar, who researches the intersection of politics and sport in the region.
