CONSTRUCTION on the stunning Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium is entering its next phase.

Excavation work has been mostly completed with foundational construction taking place for the 46,979-seater arena ahead of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

A £164million contract has been awarded to Elegancia Arabia Trading for the high-tech venue’s technical systems, according to StadiumDB.

The contract is set to cover the stadium’s air conditioning, plumbing, fire protection and building management system.

More than 3,000 individuals are set to be employed to fulfil the contract, which will run until May 2030.

Further features at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium include an underground lake to help water the pitch in the middle of the Saudi desert, a retractable roof and a removable pitch.

It will be located around 40 minutes south west of Riyadh on a cliff edge in the Tuwaiq Mountains, with comparisons made to a build on the popular video game Minecraft.

The stadium will be a centrepiece of Qiddiya City alongside a new Formula 1 track, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund developing the sports and entertainment hub.

Primary construction is being split between Spanish firm FCC Construction and Saudi company Nesma & Partners and will cost an eye-watering £3billion.

Initial work began in December 2024, with Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal planning to move in upon its completion in 2029.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium is named for the nation’s Crown Prince and is among 11 futuristic venues being developed ahead of the 2034 World Cup.

It will be one of six arenas to host the tournament in the Riyadh area alongside the planned 93,000-capacity King Salman International Stadium.

Saudi Arabia was awarded the rights to host the World Cup back in 2024 after Australia chose not to enter a final bid.

This will mark the second time Fifa has taken its showpiece event to the Middle East after Qatar 2022.