FIFA has officially announced the hosts for the next two men’s World Cups, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco set to host the 2030 tournament, and Saudi Arabia awarded the 2034 edition. While these announcements weren’t surprising—there was only one bid for each event—the latter decision has stirred significant controversy.
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Vision
Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup is part of a broader, ambitious plan under Saudi Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). This initiative aims to diversify the nation’s economy and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader. The Kingdom has invested billions of dollars in various sports, from Formula One to boxing, and has made waves in soccer by acquiring England’s Newcastle United and attracting stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. to its domestic league.
Hosting the World Cup is the centerpiece of this strategy. The Saudi government has pledged substantial infrastructure improvements, including building or renovating 11 stadiums and creating 185,000 new hotel rooms.
Human Rights Concerns
However, the excitement is overshadowed by concerns from human rights organizations. Groups like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International warn of significant risks tied to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
HRW’s report, Die First, and I’ll Pay You Later, highlights the plight of migrant workers, who are expected to bear the brunt of construction projects tied to the tournament. Despite reforms to the controversial “Kafala” sponsorship system, which ties workers to their employers, abuses persist, including wage theft, passport confiscation, and forced labor. Women’s rights, press freedom, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals are also points of contention.
Lina al-Hathloul, an advocate with the rights organization ALQST, has personally experienced Saudi Arabia’s oppressive policies. Her sister was jailed for leading a women’s rights movement and remains under a travel ban. “Saudi Arabia is a pure police state,” she told CNN, expressing frustration at the lack of accountability for such violations.
FIFA’s Role
FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid categorized human rights risks as “medium.” The assessment, conducted by the Riyadh-based law firm AS&H Clifford Chance, noted the Kingdom’s efforts to address these issues but faced criticism for excluding independent human rights organizations from the process.
Some see FIFA as complicit in enabling Saudi Arabia’s bid without sufficient pressure for reforms. “When FIFA chooses a World Cup in Saudi Arabia over its human rights policies, it sends the wrong message,” said Steve Cockburn of Amnesty International. He criticized FIFA for prioritizing financial and political gains over ethical considerations.
A Familiar Debate
These concerns echo those raised before previous tournaments in Russia and Qatar. Both nations faced scrutiny for their human rights records but ultimately used the World Cup spotlight to argue for progress. Critics, however, believe FIFA learned the wrong lessons from Qatar’s 2022 tournament, interpreting the ability to “ride out” criticism as a green light for future decisions.
A Chance for Change?
Despite the challenges, advocates like al-Hathloul remain cautiously optimistic. With ten years until the 2034 World Cup, there’s an opportunity to push for meaningful reforms. She hopes for greater bravery from international stakeholders, urging them to challenge Saudi Arabia and demand better conditions for workers, activists, and marginalized groups.
“The Saudi people deserve a World Cup, but not at this cost,” she said. “We need to speak up, challenge the status quo, and use these ten years to push for positive change. Accepting Saudi money in exchange for silence is not the way forward.”
For now, the road to the 2034 World Cup is fraught with questions about whether the tournament can truly deliver progress or if it will become another example of “sportswashing”—using global events to overshadow serious human rights abuses.
