Overview
- A source cited by AFP said the design is completely fake and does not appear in any official Saudi planning documents.
- The clip drew tens of millions of views and was initially presented as real by some outlets before articles were removed or revised.
- AFP’s digital team identified the origin as the hyporaultraworks account, which posts AI renderings of futuristic stadiums and architecture.
- The creator confirmed producing the video, calling it an imaginative AI concept with no link to Saudi Arabia or the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
- Saudi officials have discussed a football venue integrated into NEOM’s The Line, but the viral skyscraper-top stadium bears no resemblance to those plans.