FIFA has officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, making a highly controversial decision amidst ongoing human rights concerns.
The Gulf nation will stage the tournament across 15 stadiums in five cities, likely in winter, with the event marking the first time Saudi Arabia has hosted the World Cup.
This announcement follows a year of speculation after FIFA expedited the bidding process, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only candidate.
The decision was made at a virtual congress that saw FIFA’s 211 members make key decisions, not through a vote, but by a collective gesture of clapping. FIFA also confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed confidence that the tournament would bring positive changes, despite the criticism from human rights organizations. He emphasized the potential for social improvements, with the World Cup serving as a spotlight for progress.
Saudi officials responded by praising their selection, promising an extraordinary World Cup and highlighting the importance of football to their culture.
However, human rights groups have fiercely criticized the decision.
Amnesty International warned that the tournament could endanger lives, particularly workers, due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights track record. Allegations of labor abuses, including exploitative working conditions, have been raised by trade unions and human rights organizations.
FIFA’s assessment of Saudi Arabia’s bid acknowledged the need for effective enforcement of labor protections but downplayed the risks.
Despite these concerns, FIFA’s decision received support from some football associations, including England’s, which expressed a commitment to ensuring protections for LGBTQ+ fans. However, nations like Norway and Switzerland have raised objections to the process, and legal experts have warned that FIFA’s reputation may suffer as a result of its choice. Critics are calling on FIFA to hold Saudi Arabia to higher human rights standards, particularly concerning the treatment of political dissidents and labor conditions.
