FIFA officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, further solidifying the Gulf nation’s increasing influence in global sports, despite ongoing criticisms of its human rights practices.
During a virtual Congress of world football’s governing body, it was also revealed that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal would jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with three matches also taking place in South America.
The Saudi bid for the 2034 tournament was unanimously accepted, with no competing bids, during FIFA’s meeting with its 211 national member associations.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal al-Saud, expressed pride and excitement at the announcement. “It’s a proud day, a day of celebration, a day that we invite the entire world to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “We intend to have an extraordinary version of the World Cup in our kingdom.”
Despite the positive response from FIFA and Saudi officials, the decision sparked immediate backlash from human rights organizations. Critics argue that the country’s labor practices, including the exploitation and poor treatment of construction workers, make it dangerous for workers and fans alike.
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Rights groups also highlighted the restrictions placed on women and limited freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia.
The World Cup’s return to the Gulf region comes just two years after Qatar hosted the tournament, and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has long been using sports as a tool to elevate the country’s international standing.
However, many view this as an attempt at “sportswashing,” distracting from the nation’s controversial human rights record.
FIFA’s principle of rotating the World Cup between continents meant that only bids from Asia or Oceania were accepted for the 2034 tournament. Saudi Arabia was the only nation to submit a bid after both Australia and Indonesia dropped out earlier.
The decision has brought the issue of human rights to the forefront once more, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the concerns by emphasizing that FIFA remains committed to positive social impacts and addressing open issues.
“We are of course aware of critics and fears, and I fully trust our hosts to address all open points and deliver a FIFA World Cup that meets expectations,” Infantino said.
Amnesty International and 20 other organizations have condemned the decision, pointing out the risks to workers and fans and accusing FIFA of ignoring evidence of exploitation.
The Football Association of England has said it received assurances from Saudi Arabia that LGBTQ+ fans would be welcomed and safe during the tournament.
