With the FIFA Congress vote for the 2034 World Cup host just weeks away, Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) are urging FIFA to reconsider Saudi Arabia’s bid, stressing the need for substantial human rights reforms before finalizing the decision.
Both Amnesty and the SRA warn that awarding Saudi Arabia the prestigious tournament could lead to serious human rights issues, especially given the Gulf state’s track record and current labor conditions.
Currently, FIFA is set to vote on December 11 on two World Cups: 2030 and 2034. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal are the joint bidders for the 2030 edition, while Saudi Arabia stands as the only candidate for 2034.
According to the joint report from Amnesty and the SRA, both bids fall short in terms of their commitment to human rights standards set by FIFA. However, the organizations emphasized that the stakes are particularly high in Saudi Arabia, where labor exploitation and rights violations are already significant concerns.
Amnesty’s Head of Labor Rights and Sport, Steve Cockburn, pointed out the very real human cost that would come with awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia in the absence of “credible guarantees of reform”, Reuters.
He highlighted that without enforceable protections in place, migrant workers are at significant risk of exploitation, while fans could face discrimination. “Hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia without addressing these critical human rights issues will only exacerbate an already dire situation,” Cockburn stated.
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A large number of migrant workers play a crucial role in building infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including stadiums, hotels, and transportation systems essential for the tournament. Yet, these workers often endure harsh conditions under the country’s labor practices.
Saudi Arabia has been known to use the “kafala” system—a sponsorship system that ties migrant workers to their employers, leading to cases of abuse, exploitation, and even forced labor. Human rights organizations have documented instances of underpaid or unpaid wages, long work hours without sufficient rest, and limited rights for workers to change employers or leave the country freely.
These longstanding issues have led Amnesty and the SRA to advocate for strict reforms and guarantees before Saudi Arabia’s bid can proceed. They insist that FIFA has a responsibility to prioritize human rights when selecting host nations, especially as part of its commitment to respecting the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
They argue that moving forward without requiring reforms would undermine these principles and would reflect poorly on FIFA’s commitment to fair treatment and safety for all involved.
FIFA, for its part, has stated that it will release the bid evaluation reports for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cup bids prior to the Congress.
A FIFA spokesperson explained that they are following “thorough bidding processes,” similar to those used for selecting hosts for recent World Cups, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2026 Men’s World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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However, while FIFA claims to prioritize human rights standards in its processes, critics argue that the organization has repeatedly faced challenges in enforcing these standards among host nations.
The SRA and Amnesty International’s concerns also reflect a broader global trend in which sporting events are scrutinized for their potential human rights impacts. Events such as the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar brought significant attention to issues like labor rights, freedom of expression, and press freedom in host countries.
Given the level of infrastructure development required to host the World Cup, human rights organizations argue that tournament preparations could amplify labor abuses without adequate oversight and enforceable protections in place.
In addition to migrant labor concerns, human rights advocates highlight Saudi Arabia’s restrictions on free speech, freedom of the press, and women’s rights. Many worry that fans, media, and even players from diverse backgrounds could face discrimination or censorship.
Cockburn underscored that an event of the World Cup’s magnitude should serve as a model for fair treatment and inclusivity, not become a tool for whitewashing a country’s human rights record.
The calls from Amnesty and the SRA for a delay in Saudi Arabia’s bid are rooted in a plea for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to lasting change. These organizations argue that FIFA holds a unique position of influence and can push for meaningful improvements if it insists on reform as a prerequisite for hosting privileges.
As the decision date nears, the global community is watching FIFA closely. This pivotal moment in the selection process for the 2034 World Cup represents an opportunity for FIFA to stand firm on its commitment to human rights, ensuring that the spirit of the tournament is upheld for players, fans, and workers alike.
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Whether FIFA will heed these calls for reform remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting for a world organization that has long been tasked with balancing the interests of sports, governance, and human rights on the global stage.
With Saudi Arabia poised to be awarded the 2034 World Cup, human rights groups are urging FIFA to reconsider the bid due to concerns over discrimination, free speech, and worker welfare. Saudi Arabia has pledged an inclusive atmosphere, assuring LGBTQ fans their privacy will be respected, and has outlined plans to construct or refurbish 15 stadiums along with 185,000 new hotel rooms by 2032.
However, critics worry about the country’s use of migrant labor, echoing concerns raised during Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, where thousands of migrant workers reportedly faced dangerous conditions.
Amnesty International has expressed concern about the repression of free speech, noting that individuals are still jailed for non-violent expression. Human rights groups argue that Saudi Arabia, which recently failed to secure a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, must provide concrete assurances of reform, especially regarding protections for workers and marginalized communities, before being granted hosting rights.