Nearly four decades ago, on the 21st of Dhu al-Hijjah 1409 AH, corresponding to July 24, 1989, the Saudi youth football team was crowned world champion in the tournament held in Scotland, becoming the first Arab-Asian team in the world to achieve this feat.

Today we stand before two landmark moments in sports history. The upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup for senior teams coincides with the centenary of the tournament, the greatest sporting event in the world, which was first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Additionally, this date (2030) holds great significance for Saudis due to its connection with their ambitious and intelligent Vision, engineered by my dear and beloved brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister and Crown Prince—strong and trustworthy in God. One of its most successful programs in sports was our country's qualification to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

As for the second landmark moment in sports history, which I consider—and I believe every Saudi man and woman considers—the most important, it is our country's hosting of the 2034 tournament. I know for certain, as everyone knows, that our nation, may God protect it, will amaze the world with the stadiums and accommodations it prepares to host the sports teams and accompanying delegations from every distant corner.

Today, against the backdrop of the surprises we are witnessing in the ongoing tournament—as is typical of football everywhere and anytime—I want to sound the alarm for the Ministry of Sports, sports clubs, and the sports community in general to prepare early, so that our national team can achieve a new and unique accomplishment, adding to the youth team's achievement, as the first Arab-Asian team to win the FIFA World Cup for seniors. And because the upcoming tournament marks the centenary as mentioned, it will have a special impact on the sports community locally, regionally, and globally. But if the Romans are defeated, nothing less than fierce competition is required to win the tournament held in our country (2034).

In any case, I see that all the conditions are favorable for achieving this feat that every Saudi man and woman aspires to. The state, may God preserve it, always provides capabilities and support for sports that no other country in the world provides. What remains is for the soul to be filled with never-fading hope, ambition that reaches the sky, to be armed with determination comparable to Mount Tuwaiq, and filled above all with unwavering trust in God's help and success. But of course, all this must be accompanied by serious work and diligent effort, because football today has become a science more than a talent. We have abundant capabilities, praise be to God, that can achieve the impossible with God's help and success, and the encouragement of the wise leadership. We have enough time to achieve the goals. And always remember the words of the one whose poetry filled the world and occupied people: 'If you venture for a desired honor, do not settle for less than the stars. For the taste of death in a trivial matter is like the taste of death in a great matter.'

What remains is for the members of our national team, whenever they step onto a training field or a official match, to imagine themselves being crowned champions, draped in the fluttering green, with the eyes of Saudi men and women brimming with tears of joy. So work hard from now on so that you do not let them down; rather, be more than they expect. Chanting with al-Badr, whose brilliance still fills the horizons even after the departure of the word engineer: 'Above the clouds even if you are dust, above the highest meteors, O dearest dust.'

And indeed, I must also sound the alarm for the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Media to prepare from now for this global event that our country will host in 2034, so that they make it an exceptional event that is strongly etched in the distant memory of everyone who attends or watches it via satellite from peoples of the earth wherever they are. It should present our country through unique programs to those who know it only as a giant energy producer in the world, so that these programs reflect our civilizational and cultural heritage, introduce them to our glorious history, our ancient customs and traditions, our leading role in supporting charitable and humanitarian work for all peoples, and our recognized effort in achieving world security, peace, stability, and prosperity.

Yes, this is a great opportunity that all concerned parties should invest to the maximum extent possible, to make it a completely different event from everything the world has witnessed over the past century since the first World Cup in 1930 as mentioned. To reinforce everything that is known about us, and to correct those misconceptions that enemies have long promoted.

Yes, hosting this important global event in our country in 2034 should not be limited to just holding matches and talking about winners and losers and who will win the tournament. Rather, it should provide an enjoyable spectacle that introduces the world to everything they have ignored or been ignorant of about our historical, civilizational, and cultural heritage.

With sincere wishes and prayers for success and soundness for our national team and everyone in charge of it and those concerned with supporting and backing it. Success is not exclusive to one nation over another, nor to anyone over others; rather, it is available to every ambition filled with hope and keen on work. For with work, hope is realized, and every diligent person has a share.