Amnesty International has criticised FIFA's decision to grant Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 Men’s World Cup, citing serious concerns over the country’s human rights record. The announcement, made on Wednesday, has drawn widespread condemnation from rights groups, trade unions, and fan representatives.

“FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections will put many lives at risk,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of labour rights and sport. The statement, supported by 21 organisations, warned that workers could face exploitation and even fatalities without urgent reforms in Saudi Arabia.

Widespread Criticism

The joint statement was endorsed by Saudi diaspora rights groups, migrant worker organisations from Nepal and Kenya, international trade unions, and global human rights advocates.

“Based on clear evidence, FIFA knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, yet it has chosen to proceed regardless,” Cockburn added. “The organisation risks bearing significant responsibility for the human rights abuses that will inevitably follow.”

Lina Alhathloul, head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST for Human Rights, called the decision “disheartening” but emphasised the need for urgent action to address labour and civil rights violations linked to the tournament. “Credible reforms must be secured to mitigate these grave risks,” she said.

Labour Concerns Highlighted

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) also raised alarms about alleged exploitative labour practices associated with stadium construction for the tournament.

“One stadium already under construction has been linked to reports of workers enduring 10-hour shifts in extreme heat,” said Phil Bloomer, BHRRC’s executive director. He urged FIFA, its sponsors, and multinational companies involved in the infrastructure to respect human rights, especially those of vulnerable migrant workers.

FIFA’s Lack of Action

Mogens Jensen, the General Rapporteur on Governance and Ethics in Sport for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), criticised FIFA for failing to enforce its own “eligibility and evaluation criteria” for tournament hosts.

“FIFA has yet to impose binding demands on Saudi Arabia to address key issues such as labour rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, and anti-discrimination,” Jensen stated.

A Troubling Pattern

The criticism echoes similar concerns raised over Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 Men’s World Cup. Amnesty International’s 2021 report “Reality Check 2021” revealed ongoing issues in Qatar, including unpaid wages and exorbitant fees for workers to change jobs. Human Rights Watch also documented discriminatory practices against women and LGBTQ+ individuals under Qatari law.

Saudi Arabia, however, continues to deny accusations of human rights abuses.

2030 World Cup Hosting

Meanwhile, FIFA also announced that the 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with one-off celebratory matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to mark the tournament’s centenary. The hosting rights were awarded unopposed, following a vote by acclamation.

As the world’s attention turns towards these upcoming tournaments, FIFA faces mounting pressure to ensure that human rights are prioritised in its decision-making processes.