In a stark warning to FIFA, Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) are urging the global football governing body to halt the process of selecting Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup. The human rights organizations argue that unless the Gulf nation announces sweeping reforms in the coming weeks, FIFA risks enabling widespread human rights abuses by awarding the prestigious tournament to the kingdom.
Dire Consequences for Human Rights
According to a new report evaluating the human rights strategies proposed by bidding countries, Amnesty and the SRA concluded that Saudi Arabia’s bid falls far short of meeting FIFA’s required human rights standards. They warn that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia would lead to “severe and widespread” violations, affecting everyone from fans to migrant workers.
“There will be a real and predictable human cost to awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without obtaining credible guarantees of reform,” cautioned Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of labour rights and sport. “Fans will face discrimination … Migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die.”
The organizations are demanding that FIFA suspend the selection process until robust human rights protections are put in place. They argue that failure to do so will only worsen an already dire situation in the kingdom.
Discrimination and Worker Exploitation
One major concern highlighted by Amnesty is the potential discrimination against LGBTQIA+ fans in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relations can be punishable by death. Although a Saudi bid official stated in September that LGBTQ fans would be welcome and their privacy respected, human rights groups remain skeptical given the kingdom’s track record.
The exploitation of migrant workers is another key issue raised in the report. Saudi Arabia’s ambitious World Cup plans involve building or refurbishing 15 stadiums by 2032 and adding over 185,000 hotel rooms. This will require a vast influx of migrant labor in a country that has yet to establish a minimum wage for non-citizens or introduce measures to prevent worker deaths—echoing the controversies that plagued Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations.
“FIFA must halt the process until proper human rights protections are in place to avoid worsening an already dire situation,” urged Cockburn.
Repression of Free Speech
Amnesty also highlighted the repression of free speech in Saudi Arabia as a grave concern. The report noted that the kingdom’s human rights strategy fails to address the government’s severe crackdown on free expression and the continued imprisonment of individuals sentenced to decades in prison merely for speaking out.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform its global image through investments in tourism and entertainment, human rights groups argue that this veneer of progress masks ongoing abuses. The kingdom’s narrow failure to secure a seat on the UN Human Rights Council last month underscores the international community’s wariness of its human rights record.
FIFA’s Dilemma
For FIFA, the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder presents a dilemma. While the lucrative potential of a Gulf-hosted tournament is undeniable, the reputational risks and moral hazards of partnering with a country accused of egregious human rights violations cannot be ignored.
As the December vote approaches, the pressure is mounting on FIFA to prioritize human rights over profits. Amnesty and the SRA’s strongly worded warning serves as a reminder that the world will be watching closely to see if FIFA lives up to its responsibilities or becomes complicit in enabling abuse.
The ball is now in FIFA’s court. Will it use its influence to push for genuine reform in Saudi Arabia, or will it turn a blind eye to human rights for the sake of expanding its global football empire? The integrity of the beautiful game hangs in the balance.
