Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have called for the immediate suspension of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, urging that the selection process be paused until the country takes substantial steps toward improving its human rights practices. In a joint report, the organizations emphasized the lack of clear and concrete plans in Saudi Arabia’s bid to fulfill FIFA's human rights criteria, warning that awarding the tournament to the Gulf nation without addressing these concerns could lead to "severe and widespread" violations.
The report points to several human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, particularly concerning its treatment of migrant workers, LGBTQ rights, and freedom of expression. Amnesty highlighted that migrant workers in the country often face poor working conditions, exploitation, and abuse, with limited legal protections. The organization also raised alarm about the country’s criminalization of same-sex relationships, where individuals can face harsh penalties, including the death penalty.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the World Cup comes amid a broader push by the Kingdom to position itself as a global sports hub, part of its Vision 2030 initiative. However, critics argue that the country's human rights record contradicts the values espoused by FIFA, which requires host nations to meet specific standards related to human rights, including non-discrimination and protection of workers’ rights.
The FIFA Congress is set to make a decision on the hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, with Saudi Arabia as the only candidate for the latter. This follows a trend in recent years of single-bid tournaments, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada jointly hosting the 2026 World Cup, and Australia and New Zealand co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup. FIFA has pledged to release detailed bid evaluation reports ahead of the December 11 Congress, underscoring the rigor of its selection process. However, Amnesty and SRA’s call for a pause in the bidding process highlights the growing concerns over Saudi Arabia's readiness to host such a significant global event.
One of the key concerns raised in the report is the treatment of the LGBTQ community in Saudi Arabia. Despite assurances from Hammad Albalawi, the head of Saudi Arabia's World Cup bid, who stated that LGBTQ fans would be welcomed and their privacy respected, human rights organizations remain skeptical. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Saudi Arabia, and the country’s laws have historically been harsh towards LGBTQ individuals. Albalawi’s assurances have done little to quell concerns, with critics fearing that the Kingdom’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all fans may not align with the reality on the ground.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice, warned that granting the World Cup to Saudi Arabia could lead to serious human rights violations. He said, "Fans will face discrimination, migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die." Cockburn’s comments underscore the stark reality that, despite Saudi Arabia's promises of reform, the country's human rights situation remains dire, particularly in relation to its treatment of vulnerable communities.
As the FIFA Congress approaches, the decision on the 2034 World Cup bid remains a critical issue for both the sporting world and human rights advocates. The call from Amnesty and SRA for a delay in the decision-making process highlights the need for greater scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record before hosting such a high-profile international event. The outcome of this debate could set a significant precedent for future World Cup bidding processes, as it raises important questions about the role of human rights in global sports governance.
