“FIFA’s Blind Eye to Saudi Human Rights Abuses Raises Concerns for 2034 World Cup”
As the world eagerly anticipates the 2034 World Cup, concerns are mounting over Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the prestigious event. Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, has highlighted FIFA’s alarming indifference to Saudi Arabia’s troubling human rights record. The kingdom, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has faced accusations of torture, mass executions, forced disappearances, and severe crackdowns on dissent.
In a chilling revelation, the CIA has concluded with “high confidence” that Prince Mohammed personally ordered the gruesome assassination and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Despite these grave allegations, Saudi Arabia has been making significant investments in global sports, leading to accusations of “sportswashing” – using sporting events to mask human rights abuses and authoritarian rule.
Human Rights Watch has raised serious concerns about Saudi Arabia’s plans for the 2034 World Cup, which include extensive construction projects such as new stadiums, hotels, and infrastructure improvements. However, the organization has criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in the planning process, particularly the exploitation of migrant workers who will bear the brunt of the construction workload.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi bid’s independent analysis falls short of standards, with crucial voices such as migrant workers, torture survivors, and human rights advocates being excluded from the decision-making process. Despite calls for meaningful engagement from rights groups and labor organizations, the firm responsible for the report has failed to address these concerns adequately.
In a stark rebuke, Worden stated, “FIFA’s treatment of the Saudi bid is an abysmal failure to implement mandatory human rights risk assessments and protections for the millions of migrant workers who are going to make the 2034 World Cup possible.” The lack of accountability and transparency in the bidding process raises serious doubts about FIFA’s commitment to upholding human rights standards in the selection of host countries.
As the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia’s bid continues to escalate, the international community is left questioning the ethical considerations behind awarding major sporting events to countries with egregious human rights records. The 2034 World Cup, once seen as a celebration of unity and sportsmanship, is now shrouded in uncertainty and ethical dilemmas. It remains to be seen whether FIFA will address these concerns and prioritize human rights in its decision-making process moving forward.
