FIFA Urged to Prioritise Human Rights in 2034 World Cup Deal with Saudi Arabia
In less than two months, FIFA is expected to officially announce Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup. However, calls are growing for the football governing body to include independent scrutiny of the kingdom’s human rights commitments for the tournament.
A group consisting of legal and human rights experts, alongside Saudi activists based overseas, is pushing for FIFA to introduce ongoing evaluations and possibly a termination clause in the hosting contract for the 2034 World Cup. These advisors gathered in Zurich to stress the importance of learning from past mistakes, especially considering how Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup without thorough consideration of legal protections and reputation risks.
Both Saudi Arabia and Qatar share the challenge of being traditional societies embarking on massive construction projects requiring migrant workers to build stadiums and essential infrastructure for the global football event. British lawyer Rodney Dixon highlighted, “There are really no excuses now,” urging FIFA to reconsider the agreement if necessary.
The final decision on the World Cup hosting rights will be made by over 200 FIFA member federations during an online meeting on December 11th, after which the hosting contracts will be finalised. Saudi Arabia is currently the sole candidate for the 2034 World Cup.
Acknowledging that FIFA may not have the authority to enact societal change, the advisors stressed the importance of holding the host country accountable for its human rights record. Emphasising the need for progress, they referenced concerns regarding freedom of speech and assembly, labour laws, and gender equality within Saudi Arabia.
Following FIFA’s call for future World Cup hosts to demonstrate a human rights strategy after Gianni Infantino’s election in 2016, the advisors offered to establish an independent monitoring mechanism for Saudi Arabia earlier this year. However, their proposal was disregarded, prompting them to renew their efforts during the recent briefing in Zurich.
While Saudi Arabia has outlined its human rights strategy and proposed stadium projects for the World Cup, concerns remain over the treatment of the kingdom’s significant migrant worker population. Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea highlighted documented labour violations and warned of potential abuses during the construction phase.
Despite Saudi officials’ claims of progress in social reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, critics maintain that significant gender inequality issues persist within the kingdom. With the bid evaluation process ongoing, FIFA faces pressure to ensure that human rights considerations are central to the selection of both the 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts.
As the deadline for the decision draws near, stakeholders are eager to see FIFA’s stance on human rights scrutiny in the context of awarding World Cup hosting rights. The concerns raised by experts and activists underscore the growing importance of prioritising human rights in international sporting events like the World Cup.