In a comprehensive new report, Amnesty International and the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) have thoroughly evaluated the bids of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, who have secured the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup, alongside the bid from Saudi Arabia. While Saudi Arabia is emerging as a significant force in the football realm, exemplified by high-profile investments like Newcastle United and Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League, its aspirations to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup have encountered significant opposition.
The Amnesty International and SRA report raises alarm over the potential human rights issues associated with awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia. The report highlights that none of the evaluated bids, including Saudi Arabia’s, adequately address how they would comply with FIFA’s human rights standards or demonstrate meaningful engagement with human rights organizations.
Amnesty International and SRA emphasize the substantial risks linked to granting Saudi Arabia the hosting rights. Steve Cockburn, Head of Labour Rights and Sport at Amnesty International, warned of the dire human consequences of hosting the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia without credible human rights reforms. According to Cockburn, fans could face discrimination, residents might be forcibly evicted, and migrant workers could endure exploitation, with many lives at risk.
Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup includes extensive plans to build or renovate 11 stadiums, create over 185,000 additional hotel rooms, and undertake major infrastructure projects, from enhanced transport connections to the development of new cities. However, Cockburn pointed out the absence of commitments to reform the country’s exploitative ‘kafala’ sponsorship system, establish a minimum wage for non-citizens, allow them to join trade unions, or introduce measures to prevent worker deaths.
Cockburn urged FIFA to withhold the hosting rights from Saudi Arabia unless stringent human rights protections are implemented. The call for caution aims to prevent the potential human rights abuses that could arise from Saudi Arabia’s ambitious World Cup plans.
