Saudi Arabia's $8.8 Trillion NEOM Megacity Faces Delays, Worker Deaths Amid Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia's NEOM project is a massive and ambitious megacity initiative launched in 2017 as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to diversify the country's economy away from oil dependence. The project envisions a futuristic city with high-tech developments including The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, and Sindalah, spanning 26,000 square feet on the Red Sea. Despite its grand vision, construction has faced significant delays, cost overruns escalating from $500 billion to an estimated $8.8 trillion, and widespread reports of harsh labor conditions and human rights abuses, with claims of up to 21,000 worker deaths, though Saudi authorities dispute these figures. Meanwhile, the NEOM Sports Project, including the NEOM football club, aims to transform sports in the region, aspiring to compete at the highest levels and serve as a centerpiece for Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup ambitions. The sports initiative is part of a broader societal transformation linked to NEOM, highlighting efforts to build a solid foundation for competitive football and community engagement. However, the megacity's progress is overshadowed by controversy and challenges that continue to raise international concern.