Saudi Arabia shelves $2.5bn Neom stadium planned for 2034 World Cup, report says

According to Reuters, the NEOM Stadium was billed as an elevated arena in a glitzy 100-mile (160-km) steel and glass structure known as The Line[1]. Middle East Eye reports the venue was to sit 350 metres above ground level[2].Reuters cites the construction tracker MEED, which says the stadium is expected to cost $2.5 billion and lists the projected 46,000-seat stadium in its data as "on hold"[1]. MEED's data gives it no listed completion date[1], Reuters adds.Reuters reports that Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan confirmed in April that The Line was no longer a priority[1] but denied any projects had been cancelled[1].According to Reuters, NEOM and the Saudi government media office did not reply to requests for comment[1]. The World Cup 2034 Hosting Higher Authority said "substantial delivery" of construction milestones for the event was already taking place[1], but it did not answer questions about the stadium, Reuters says.Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia is under increasing pressure from the Iran war[1]. It adds that the finance ministry now expects a real GDP contraction of 3.6% following a drop in oil activities[1]. It reports that Al Khobar's Aramco Stadium is set to be completed by the end of this year and host its first game in January[1].