Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is stirring up intense discussions as FIFA evaluates the proposal against its historical challenges, particularly concerning human rights. The recent evaluation report released by FIFA titled the Saudi bid as having a “medium risk” for human rights, yet awarded it significantly high marks overall, reflecting the kingdom’s assertion to improve its global reputation through this prestigious sporting event.
Announced during the upcoming FIFA Congress scheduled for December 11, 2024, the report revealed Saudi Arabia scored 4.2 out of 5 on the evaluation scale, marking the highest score ever for any country bidding to host the World Cup. This report inevitably raised eyebrows, leading critics to label it as “surprisingly optimistic” and even “an astonishing whitewash” of the very issues the kingdom faces. FIFA, backing its assessment, posits the tournament could act as “a catalyst” for human rights reforms within the nation.
Despite FIFA’s accolades, many human rights organizations quickly voiced their dissent, citing the kingdom’s persistent human rights violations, such as the execution of political dissidents, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the repression of women’s rights. To put things in perspective, Saudi Arabia reportedly executed over 200 prisoners during the first nine months of the year, tying the actions to its broader condemnation by various global watchdogs for human rights abuses.
Among the foremost critiques, Amnesty International condemned the FIFA report, stating it “ignored the clear evidence of severe human rights risks” and suggested the evaluation lacked substantial consideration of the risks faced by local and migrant workers, many of whom are employed to construct the massive infrastructure required for the event. The organization’s representatives highlighted the absence of explicit commitments to prevent abuses and exploitation during the tournament, forewarning of the omnipresent risk of repression rising under the guise of hosting international events.
FIFA acknowledged the necessity of remaining alert with respect to various aspects of the proposed tournament, including the chilling climate conditions prevalent during Saudi summers, where temperatures exceed 40°C and safety concerns could jeopardize the experience for players and fans alike. Given this, FIFA hinted at the possibility of rescheduling the event to winter, echoing the changes made for the Qatar World Cup held later than the traditional summer scheduling, which was mandated to combat the punishing heat.
The report also pointed to sustainability concerns. It lauded Saudi Arabia’s plans for environmental protection, giving the bid a “low risk” mark when it came to environmental impact. The Saudi bid proposed building 15 stadiums across various host cities, with plans in place to integrate existing structures where feasible, showcasing some level of awareness of its environmental footprint. Yet skeptics remain apprehensive about the long-term sustainability of such massive construction initiatives, which many argue contradicts the kingdom’s environmental promises.
Saudi Arabia’s lavish investments—over $5 billion since 2021—mark its pursuit not just within football but across various sports, exemplified by hosting events like Formula One races, golf tournaments, and more. These sporting gambits form part of the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 program aimed at diversifying the oil-reliant economy. Sport has rapidly become one of Saudi Arabia’s key tools for global engagement, but it hasn’t come without its fair share of scrutiny. Critics accentuate the underlying intent of “sportswashing”—using high-profile events to bolster the kingdom’s image globally, popularly paired with serious allegations surrounding human rights abuses.
After FIFA’s evaluation, the Saudi Arabian Sports Minister, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, articulated pride over the evaluation, claiming it reflected the country’s commitment to the game and readiness to host the world accordingly. Yet, his comments are met with skepticism, as numerous NGOs assert significant legal reforms are still required to align the country’s operational measures with international human rights standards. Such evaluations of commitment remain to be seen and are the cause of divided opinions within the sports community as well.
Further complicities arise within the bid’s evaluation, as FIFA hinted at the need for unwavering deliberations concerning governance reforms locally, vitally linking the kingdom’s hosting strategy with the nation’s broader human rights policies. The FIFA report attempts to navigate this tumultuous terrain by reinforcing its commitment to engaging with major stakeholders for promoting safety, security, and less discriminatory practices around the event.
Looking over the historical backdrop, one cannot ignore the grave instances of human rights abuses under the current Saudi regime, which have characterized international discussions. The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, rampant executions, and dismal treatment of women are clear points of contention. FIFA’s conciliatory tone, perhaps marginalizing these issues, stands counter to the urgency denoted by advocacy groups demanding accountability and actions to mitigate the abuses found within the current legal framework.
With the vote looming closer, FIFA’s Congress is expected to formally endorse Saudi Arabia as host for the 2034 event. Yet the path remains fraught with tensions as the evaluation raises serious issues about whether the substantial accolades received truly reflect the state’s overall readiness to host such events responsibly, underlined by its rights obligations. Collective concerns resound for what hosting the World Cup may inadvertently perpetuate—a dichotomy of opulence juxtaposed against severe rights violations.
The scrutiny and discontent around FIFA’s evaluation only highlight the urgent need for continued dialogue surrounding human rights accountability within Saudi Arabia as the kingdom strives to stage one of the world’s most significant sporting events. Can FIFA genuinely overlook the ramifications of its endorsement? With human rights advocates urging for serious reform before hosting, the future remains unclear. The 2034 World Cup may well become emblematic of the larger struggle facing sports bodies when faced with hosting honors overshadowed by human rights concerns on the global stage, leaving pressing questions surrounding sincerity and effectiveness of the kingdom’s declared reforms.
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