Pakistan Plans to Supply 400,000 Skilled Workers for FIFA World Cup 2034 Projects

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing to position itself as a major supplier of skilled labor for Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034 infrastructure and development projects, with plans aimed at providing up to 400,000 trained workers to support the Kingdom’s large-scale construction and service-sector requirements.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and the extensive preparations underway for the FIFA World Cup 2034, which will require new stadiums, transportation networks, hospitality facilities, and other supporting infrastructure across multiple cities. Saudi Arabia is expected to undertake significant construction and modernization projects ahead of the tournament.

Pakistan has been actively expanding its skilled workforce export programs, particularly for Saudi Arabia. Official data shows that more than 400,000 Pakistani workers have already obtained certifications and proceeded to the Kingdom through skills assessment and verification programs in recent years.

Government officials have repeatedly emphasized the growing demand for skilled Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom accelerates major development projects under Vision 2030. Opportunities exist in construction, engineering, technical services, hospitality, healthcare, and project management sectors.

Saudi Arabia secured hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2034 and is planning extensive infrastructure development, including new and renovated stadiums across several host cities. These projects are expected to generate substantial demand for qualified international workers over the coming years.

Industry experts believe Pakistan’s large labor force and expanding vocational training programs could help the country capture a significant share of overseas employment opportunities linked to the World Cup preparations. Increased workforce exports could also contribute to higher remittance inflows, which remain a vital source of foreign exchange for Pakistan.

The focus is expected to remain on certified and technically trained workers, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing preference for skilled labor rather than traditional low-skilled manpower. Pakistani authorities have been working to strengthen international certification standards and workforce training to meet these evolving requirements.

As Saudi Arabia moves forward with preparations for the global football event, Pakistan hopes the planned deployment of skilled workers will strengthen bilateral economic ties while creating new employment opportunities for thousands of citizens seeking overseas jobs.