Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning football prowess has been met with a significant setback in its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Human rights concerns have cast a shadow over the country’s ambitious plans, prompting Amnesty International and the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) to raise alarm.
In a comprehensive report, Amnesty and SRA assessed the bids of Morocco, Spain and Portugal (awarded the 2030 World Cup) and Saudi Arabia. The report found that none of the bids adequately addressed human rights standards required by FIFA. Moreover, there was no evidence of meaningful consultation with human rights organizations.
Amnesty and SRA have highlighted the grave risks associated with awarding hosting rights to Saudi Arabia. Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, emphasized the potential human cost: “Fans will face discrimination, residents will be forcibly evicted, migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die.”
Saudi Arabia’s bid relies heavily on migrant workers, but the country’s exploitative “kafala” sponsorship system remains unreformed. Migrant workers lack basic rights, including the ability to join trade unions or receive a minimum wage. Cockburn urged FIFA to withhold hosting rights unless “proper human rights protection” is guaranteed.
Saudi Arabia’s bid proposal includes ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction or renovation of 11 stadiums, the addition of over 185,000 hotel rooms, and major transportation and urban development initiatives. However, these plans have been overshadowed by concerns over human rights violations.
The report’s findings have cast doubt on Saudi Arabia’s ability to meet FIFA’s human rights standards. The country’s bid faces an uphill battle as it seeks to address these concerns and convince FIFA that it can provide a safe and inclusive environment for the World Cup.
