PFF backs Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Cup 2034

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) expressed its full support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s intention to bid for the hosting rights of the FIFA World Cup 2034.

As a fellow member association of the Asian Football Confederation, it gives great pride that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take the lead in bringing the FIFA World Cup back to Asia in 2034, the PFF said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia is also hosting the continent’s showpiece event, the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.

“As a partner in the growth of Asian football, we are supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its intention to bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034,” said PFF president Mariano V. Araneta.  “This is a unique opportunity for our fellow AFC MA (member association) in the Middle East to mount the beautiful’s game landmark competition.”

Meanwhile, top seed Kaya FC Iloilo and four-peat-seeking La Salle dispute the last seat to the finals of the PFF Women’s League 2023 sponsored by Coca-Cola Philippines tonight at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kaya, which finished the preliminaries with a leading 22 points on a 7-1-1 win-draw-loss card, and La Salle, which logged 19 markers on 6-1-2, clash at 6 p.m. for the right to face Manila Digger FC in the championship.

Manila Digger clinched the first finals berth last week with a 4-3 victory over Far Eastern in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw over 120 minutes.

National team mainstays Hali Long, Inna Palacios and Cam Rodriguez are expected to lead Kaya, which seeks to replicate its men’s counterparts’ success in the Philippines Football League.