Photo credit: shutterstock.comIn a groundbreaking move, FIFA has officially awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 FIFA World Cup, following a decision made during a virtual congress attended by more than 200 FIFA members. The announcement marks a significant shift in the global landscape of football, as Saudi Arabia will become the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup in 2034. However, while the decision has stirred excitement in some circles, it has also been met with backlash, particularly from human rights organizations. This article explores the implications of the announcement, including the ongoing human rights concerns tied to the Kingdom’s record.
FIFA’s growing ambition to globalize football
FIFA has long harbored ambitions to expand football’s reach beyond traditional strongholds, with the 2034 World Cup decision fitting neatly into this vision. In a statement after the announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino outlined the organization’s goal of taking the sport to more countries, emphasizing that expanding the number of teams would enhance the competition rather than dilute it.
The 2034 World Cup marks a significant departure from previous tournaments, as it was awarded to a single nation without any competing bids. This has led to a sense of inevitability regarding the decision, which was made easier by the absence of other contenders. Saudi Arabia, eager to cement itself as a global sports hub, stepped forward to host the prestigious tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting a world-class tournament
Saudi Arabia has been ramping up its investments in sports as part of its broader Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependency on oil. Hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup is seen as a key milestone in these efforts. The country’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia will deliver an extraordinary and unparalleled World Cup experience.
The Kingdom’s ambassador to the U.S., Reema Bandar Al-Saud, has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the country’s commitment to global sports leadership extends beyond football and includes a focus on sustainability and economic growth. These factors make the World Cup an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic objectives.
The dark side of the announcement
Despite the excitement surrounding Saudi Arabia’s successful bid, human rights organizations have been vocal in their criticism of FIFA’s decision. These groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised serious concerns about the Kingdom’s human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of migrant workers who will be tasked with building the tournament’s infrastructure.
FIFA’s failure to implement adequate safeguards for workers’ rights has drawn sharp criticism, with many fearing that the World Cup will mirror the human rights abuses seen during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The situation in Qatar involved thousands of migrant workers facing unsafe working conditions, low wages, and, in many cases, death while constructing the tournament’s facilities. For many observers, the prospect of similar abuses in Saudi Arabia seems inevitable unless FIFA takes concrete steps to prevent such occurrences.
Saudi Arabia’s troubling human rights record
Saudi Arabia has long been under scrutiny for its human rights record, and the decision to host the World Cup only adds fuel to this fire. The country has faced consistent criticism for imprisoning political dissidents, limiting freedom of speech, and violating women’s rights. These issues came into sharper focus following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which sparked international outrage. Additionally, the execution of 81 individuals in a single day in 2022 further raised alarms about the Kingdom’s disregard for basic human rights.
Women’s rights activists have also been targets of government repression, despite recent reforms that allowed women to drive. Many remain imprisoned or under house arrest for simply speaking out against the government’s policies. This continued mistreatment of activists is one of the core issues that human rights groups have highlighted in their opposition to Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup.
The shadow of Qatar 2022
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar remains a controversial chapter in FIFA’s history. Despite promises of reform, the event was marred by the deaths of migrant workers and widespread criticism of the country’s treatment of laborers. Estimates suggest that hundreds of workers lost their lives while building the infrastructure needed for the tournament, raising serious ethical questions about the responsibility of FIFA and the host countries in ensuring worker safety.
Given Saudi Arabia’s own track record of human rights abuses, there are valid concerns that the Kingdom will follow a similar path to Qatar. Critics argue that FIFA must not ignore the lessons learned from Qatar and must take proactive measures to protect the rights of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. While the country has promised to deliver a world-class event, it is crucial that worker welfare is prioritized during the planning and execution of the tournament.
Balancing excitement with responsibility
The decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has placed FIFA in the hot seat. Human rights groups are now demanding that FIFA take a stronger stance in ensuring that workers’ rights are upheld during the construction of the event’s infrastructure. The controversy surrounding this decision has led to increased scrutiny of FIFA’s selection process, with many arguing that the organization should prioritize human rights over commercial interests.
With the World Cup just over a decade away, FIFA faces a significant challenge in ensuring that Saudi Arabia meets international standards for human rights. This will require not only addressing the concerns of workers but also fostering transparency in the bidding process for future tournaments. The global community will be watching closely as preparations for the 2034 World Cup unfold, and FIFA’s ability to respond to criticism will be a key factor in the success of the event.
The future of FIFA world cup hosts
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, approaches, all eyes will be on FIFA’s handling of future bids. The 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams and be held across 16 cities, promises to be a landmark event, but the decision to host the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly cast a shadow over future tournament bids.
FIFA’s selection of Saudi Arabia has prompted many to reconsider the criteria by which World Cup hosts are chosen. It remains to be seen whether FIFA will implement stricter human rights assessments for future hosts or whether commercial interests will continue to outweigh concerns about the treatment of workers and political freedoms.
A pivotal moment for FIFA and Saudi Arabia
The decision to award the 2034 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia is a watershed moment in the history of the tournament. While the country’s ambitious plans for the event are undeniable, human rights organizations have raised legitimate concerns about the impact of this decision on migrant workers and the broader human rights situation in the Kingdom. As FIFA faces increasing pressure to ensure that the World Cup does not come at the cost of workers’ lives, the global community will continue to watch closely, hoping that the lessons of past tournaments are not forgotten.
The next decade will be critical in determining whether Saudi Arabia can host the 2034 World Cup responsibly or if it will face the same scrutiny that plagued Qatar in 2022.
