FIFA Under Fire for “Astonishing Whitewash” of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Bid
FIFA has been criticized for their glowing evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has been labeled by human rights activists as an “astonishing whitewash” of the country’s human rights record. Despite warnings from Amnesty International that migrant workers could face exploitation and even death without significant reforms, the Saudi bid was given a medium risk score on human rights, with the report suggesting that the tournament could serve as a catalyst for positive human rights outcomes.
The report also mentioned the need for reform, but did not outline specific steps to be taken by the Saudi government. The bid was also given a low risk score for sustainability and environmental protection, despite concerns over the significant impact of construction needed for the preparations and the lack of a set date for the tournament.
Amnesty International’s head of labour rights and sport, Steve Cockburn, condemned the evaluation, saying that it ignores the clear evidence of worker exploitation, discrimination, and severe repression. He accused FIFA of abandoning human rights policies in order to secure the bid, and warned that unless significant human rights reforms are introduced, people will be exploited and even die as a result.
A report on the conditions of migrant workers at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, released on the same day, concluded that FIFA and other organizations bear a shared responsibility to provide compensation to laborers and the families of deceased workers. The report also slammed the decision not to use a $50 million legacy fund to directly compensate migrant workers as “shameful”.
The evaluation report also touched on the issue of same-sex relationships, which are criminalized in Saudi Arabia, and the restrictions on freedom of expression, but did not outline clear steps to address these issues. The report noted that addressing these gaps would require significant effort and time, but remained optimistic about the potential for positive human rights outcomes.
