DHAKA: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Dhaka has invited Bangladeshi companies to bid for FIFA World Cup construction projects as the tournament, to be hosted by the Kingdom in 2034, will require the construction of new stadiums and supporting infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the world’s largest sporting event, with plans to hold games across 15 stadiums in five cities. Many migrant workers will be involved in building new sports facilities, transport networks, and hotel infrastructure.

“Bangladeshi workers already have experience with the World Cup in Qatar,” Ambassador Essa Al-Duhailan told Arab News at his office in the Bangladeshi capital on Tuesday.

“I urge the construction companies from Bangladesh to go to Saudi Arabia because we will build 11 stadiums and renovate five other existing stadiums. So this will also be a big opportunity for the companies and for the workers to go and participate in this ... And not only the construction of stadiums, but hotels and resorts. This will be a very good opportunity for Bangladesh.”

Some 2 million expatriate workers in Qatar were crucial in making the 2022 World Cup mega-projects a reality. Most of them were Bangladeshis. They have constructed and renovated eight stadiums, a whole new city, Lusail, the Doha Metro, hotels, and new transportation routes.

“You have enough numbers of skilled workers. We are happy to accommodate them and to welcome them. And they will have very good opportunities,” Al-Duhailan said.

“Bangladeshi workers and migrants are hard workers, and they are intelligent, and you can rely on them.”

Around 3 million Bangladeshi nationals live and work in Saudi Arabia. They are the largest expat group in the Kingdom and the largest Bangladeshi community outside Bangladesh. Many are employed in the construction sector and more are likely to find jobs in the industry in the next few years, as the Kingdom prepares to host not only the 2034 World Cup, but also the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, the Asian Winter Games in 2029, and the World Expo in 2030.

“The business of construction will be in high demand (of workers),” Al-Duhailan said.

“We already started preparations ... We are processing 5,000 to 7,000 visas (for Bangladeshis) every day. And we are (willing) to accommodate more.”