Saudi Arabia Granted Hosting Rights for 2034 World Cup Amidst Human Rights Concerns

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made an announcement during a virtual congress that Saudi Arabia has been officially awarded the 2034 World Cup, with Portugal, Morocco, and Spain set to host the 2030 tournament. Infantino emphasized that the decision to bring football to more countries, and the increase in the number of teams, has not compromised the quality of the tournaments. In fact, he stated that it has enhanced the opportunities for promoting the sport.

Saudi Arabia's Ambition for an Unprecedented FIFA World Cup

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia expressed the kingdom's excitement about hosting an extraordinary edition of the FIFA World Cup. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, he stated, "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world."

Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States, shared the kingdom's enthusiasm on the social media platform X. She stated, "The Kingdom is excited to show its global sports leadership immersed in a vibrant culture, while demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and excellence."

However, the decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia has faced considerable opposition from groups concerned about the country's human rights record. A joint statement from 21 organizations, including international trade unions and global human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, described the decision as a "moment of great danger" for human rights. They expressed deep concern over the lack of adequate human rights protections in Saudi Arabia and warned that the tournament could put many lives at risk.

Concerns Over Human Rights Issues in Saudi Arabia

The statement from the organizations argued that FIFA's decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, despite being aware of the country's human rights abuses, demonstrated a blatant disregard for human rights considerations. They cited clear evidence that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia would face exploitation and potential death without fundamental reforms in the country's human rights practices.

The organizations criticized FIFA for its failure to compensate migrant workers who were exploited during the previous World Cup in Qatar, expressing skepticism about the organization's commitment to human rights protections. They called for extensive reforms in Saudi Arabia as a prerequisite for hosting the World Cup, warning that failing to do so would risk perpetuating a decade of exploitation, discrimination, and repression.

Concerns Raised by Human Rights Advocacy Groups

 FIFA's decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia has drawn criticism from human rights advocacy groups. The organizations highlighted Saudi Arabia's record of abuses, including the imprisonment of women's rights campaigners, the murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi in 2018, and the execution of 81 individuals in a single day in 2022. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the human rights situation in the country.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar faced similar controversies, primarily due to the deaths of migrant workers who toiled in extreme heat to build the tournament's infrastructure. Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general of Qatar's World Cup organizing committee, acknowledged in an interview that "between 400 and 500" migrants died during the construction, although he did not provide an exact figure.

Future World Cup Hosts and Dates

On a global scale, the 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This tournament, featuring 48 teams, is scheduled to take place in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19. Additionally, the next Women's World Cup is planned for Brazil, set to occur between June 24 and July 25, 2027.

As the world of football eagerly anticipates the upcoming World Cups, the discussions surrounding venue selections underscore the intersection of sports and global human rights considerations, presenting complex challenges for organizations like FIFA as they navigate the demands of promoting the sport while addressing pertinent social issues.