Balancing tradition and modernity is the core gamble of Vision 2030. Will the World Cup crown its success or mark its failure?
In December 2024 Saudi Arabia was announced as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The decision came as no surprise, given that Riyadh was the only candidate following Australia’s withdrawal. However, several non-governmental organizations have raised concerns about human rights violations and exploitation of workers.
FIFA was blamed for lacking transparency and accountability in the selection process, due to the close ties between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Saudi government, given Saudi oil giant Aramco’s role as a major sponsor of the 2023 Club World Cup. Critics argue that Saudi Arabia is engaging in sportswashing and the ambitious projects proposed for the 2034 World Cup didn’t quell the controversy.
But what is the importance of hosting the World Cup for Saudi Arabia, and how does it connect to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative?
The controversial Saudi World Cup projects[1]
Since 2021 Riyad has invested around £5billion in sports sector, due to the key role of sport centers and entertainment in modernizing the country as part of Vision 2030 and paving the way for a new, non-oil-based Saudi economy. The projects include “one of a kind” 15 stadiums, of which 11 have yet to be built – including one in an unbuilt city. The stadiums will be located in 5 cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Al-Khobar and Neom. Neom, a city still under construction, is the centerpiece of “The Line” project and will play a crucial role in presenting Saudi Arabia as a modern country to the international community.
Nevertheless, critics argue that with only four of the 15 promised stadiums already completed this could lead to exploitation of workers, as seen during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In addition, human rights advocates emphasized the persistent violation of women’s rights as well as a sharp increase in executions, which doubled last year to 330, compared to 196 in 2022. Furthermore, according to The Guardian, a high number of Bangladeshi migrant workers died under unclear circumstances, despite Riyad remarking its labor standards and regulations.
However, FIFA, whose guidelines include the respect of human rights, assigned to Saudi Arabia an average score of 4.2 out of 5 – the highest ever – on the basis of the “good potential that the tournament could serve as a catalyst for some of the ongoing and future reforms, and contribute to positive human rights outcomes for people in Saudi Arabia and the region that go beyond the scope of the tournament itself”.
Objectives and Controversies of Vision 2030
Since its launch in 2016, Vision 2030 has aimed firmly at diversifying and reducing Saudi economy’s dependence on oil while reforming outdated regulations. However, this ambitious project is more than and can be summarized in three major objectives[2]:
All above things considered, it is clear what hosting the FIFA World Cup means in the eyes of the Saudis: it will be a signal to the global community, displaying the results of the ongoing reforms. However, some remain skeptical that these reforms will eventually be the game changer required to create a new and moderate Kingdom, despite Riyadh’s efforts to assure otherwise.
In particular, the issue of sportswashing is still in the spotlight, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of the projects associated with both Vision 2030 – such as Neom and Qiddiya – and the FIFA World Cup. Critics argue that hosting the World Cup would lead to high pollution due to the construction of stadiums, hotels and residences for the hosted teams. Moreover, some believe that the Saudi government’s reassurances about emission reduction are mere excuses and that the sports sector is being used to divert attention from missed targets on the projects’ sustainability.
The future of Vision 2030: empty promises or real progress?
The announcement of the World cup is welcome news and a great relief for Saudi authorities, given that Saudi Vision 2030 is almost certainly facing a crisis. The gigaprojects expected to be completed by the 2030s, particularly Neom, are coping with lack of investments due to the colossal scale of these projects in terms of logistics, financial requirements, and human labor. The major issue Riyadh faces is a lack of funding, which is a critical and undeniable condition for the success of Vision 2030. This is why it is said that, on one hand, “The Line” project has been scaled down to meet deadlines, and on the other hand, Saudi authorities have sought to persuade Beijing to invest in these ambitious plans.
Despite that, the economic aspect is not the only issue at play. The construction and logistical aspects also pose significant concerns. For instance, it is said that engineers are struggling to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s requests for Neom, such as carving an 800-meter-high mountain slope and constructing a series of hotels and residences[3]. In addition to the chaotic planning, the most pressing matter is the displacement of population centers and villages. Approximately 20,000 residents are being forcibly relocated to make way for the construction of “The Line”, which will dramatically reshape the landscape.
All things and issues considered, the FIFA World Cup could represent a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia. If all deadlines are met, reforms implemented, and human rights respected, it could serve as a catalyst for realizing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030, showcasing the Kingdom’s modernization to the world. However, failing to address significant economic, logistical, and social challenges could turn the World Cup into a symbol of unfulfilled promises, marking the graveyard of Vision 2030 and tarnishing Riyadh’s image for decades to come.
[1] “What will a Saudi 2034 World Cup look like?” published by BBC is the main source for this paragraph:https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn4xy2el3jno
[2] Source of the quoted objectives: https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/overview
[3] Source : https://www.alestiklal.net/en/article/endless-crises-how-neom-turned-into-the-graveyard-of-mbs-s-dreams
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