As the world becomes increasingly fascinated by artificial intelligence, distinguishing between what’s real and what’s generated has never been trickier.
One of the most striking examples came earlier this week when a video of a ‘skyscraper stadium’ in Saudi Arabia went viral, racking up more than 50 million views and making headlines worldwide.
Fans were captivated by the incredible visuals of the Neom Sky Stadium — a futuristic concept reportedly set to hover 1,000 feet above ground, hold 46,000 spectators, and host matches for the 2034 World Cup in the Middle East.
But as impressive as the footage looked, it wasn’t the official work of Saudi planners at all.
The Viral Video That Fooled the World
In a twist worthy of social media lore, the jaw-dropping video was created in just a few minutes by Liam Hawes, a 34-year-old from East Sussex, while he was relaxing in bed.
Posting it on his Facebook page, Hypora Ultraworks, the clip quickly spread across the globe.
“I just had the idea pop into my head before sleep, played around with it, and suddenly it went everywhere,” Liam told Daily Mail Sport.
His video, created in roughly two minutes using AI-based image design tools, cost him about 35p to make — and yet it fooled countless fans and media outlets into thinking it was the real Neom Sky Stadium.
Liam’s Accidental Media Sensation
Despite the frenzy, Liam hasn’t made a penny from the viral sensation because Facebook doesn’t allow him to monetize the content.
“I was watching publications and social media accounts share it as if it were official,” he said. “Even my mum called asking if it was my design.
It was surreal.”
Liam’s creative, low-budget approach perfectly demonstrates the blurring line between imagination and reality in today’s digital world, where a concept posted casually from a phone can reach hundreds of millions globally.
The Real Neom Sky Stadium is Still on Track
While Liam’s video was a playful hoax, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious stadium plans are very real.
The Neom Sky Stadium is part of ‘The Line,’ a smart city in northwest Neom expected to be car-free and towering as high as the Empire State Building.
The official stadium will host around 50,000 fans, include multiple training sites, and offer premium corporate seating.
Concept designs released by the project depict a luminous, futuristic venue seamlessly integrated into the city’s vertical landscape.
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Plans
The Neom stadium is just one of 15 venues set for the 2034 World Cup, with eight located in Riyadh, including the King Salman International Stadium, which will host the opening game and final.
Other planned venues include the Qiddiya Coast Stadium and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, with matches even taking place on rooftops.
Saudi Arabia will be the second Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament in little over a decade, following Qatar’s winter-hosted World Cup three years ago.
Organizers are considering November-December dates to avoid extreme summer heat.
Football’s Global Calendar in Flux
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has encouraged fans to keep an open mind regarding the timing of matches.
With temperatures varying across regions, scheduling is becoming a complex puzzle.
FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani emphasized that kick-off times will need careful planning, reflecting lessons learned from the FIFA Club World Cup this year.
Meanwhile, the next two men’s World Cups will be in the northern summer, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Morocco, Portugal, and Spain are confirmed for 2030, alongside Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay marking the tournament’s centenary edition.
The Future of Imagination and Sport
Whether it’s a viral AI-generated stadium or the meticulously planned Neom Sky Stadium, the 2034 World Cup promises to push the boundaries of architecture and fan experiences.
And in an age where fantasy can look convincingly real, fans will have to keep their wits about them when scrolling through their feeds.