How Saudi Arabia’s unchallenged 2034 World Cup bid could weaken Fifa’s human rights demands

• In 2010, Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 Fifa men’s World Cup.
• However, from the moment the hosting rights were awarded until the event’s conclusion in December 2022, the Qatar World Cup was marred by controversies.
• Qatar’s gulf neighbour, Saudi Arabia, has now been all but confirmed as the host of the 2034 edition of football’s greatest spectacle.
• Upon learning that the bid process was non-competitive, the Sport & Rights Alliance – a coalition of human rights and anti-corruption organisations, trade unions, fan representatives, athlete survivors groups and players unions – expressed its concern.

Losing leverage over human rights

• Read more:
  Qatar's death row and the invisible migrant workforce deemed unworthy of due process

  Independent human rights risk assessments are also supposed to be carried out by bidding nations.

• Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged Fifa to ensure that they secure binding human rights agreements from Saudi Arabia in line with Fifa’s own stated policy.
• And Fifa has announced that the bid will need to adhere to all bid requirements, including those related to human rights.

How did we get here?

• Since 2016, the Saudi ruling family has been building towards realising their Saudi Vision 2030.
• These events include football’s 2023 Club World Cup, Formula One, the LIV Golf Series, tennis and boxing.

• In a recent interview with Fox News, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even said: “If sport washing is going to increase my GDP by way of 1%, then I will continue doing sport washing.
• Yet again it is left to advocacy organisations to lobby for ethical mega events while governments and sporting federations observe from the sidelines.
• And that bidding regulations and hosting requirements were approved by the Fifa Council – made of 37 elected members from all around the world.

David McGillivray does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.