It’s unclear if a new Netflix series about Saudi football, which showcases crowded stadiums and elite players, would be able to quell criticism of Riyadh’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
Three weeks before the FIFA Congress officially approved Saudi Arabia as the only bidder to host the quadrennial spectacle, the six-episode “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff” premiered.
The vote on Wednesday will mark the pinnacle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of sport to gain power and enhance the Gulf kingdom’s reputation around the world.
The focus of that endeavor has been football, and the Netflix series shows how the Saudi Pro League has changed as a result of the entry of international players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
