FIFA has released its long-awaited report on the legacy of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but the governing body has sparked backlash by rejecting its human rights sub-committee’s key recommendation to compensate workers impacted during the tournament’s preparation and delivery.
The sub-committee had urged FIFA to use its £39.4m “legacy fund” to provide remedies for migrant workers who suffered harm, including deaths, injuries, unpaid wages, and significant debt. Instead, FIFA allocated the fund to global social initiatives, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.
Amnesty International called FIFA’s stance “shameful,” urging the organization to take responsibility for the abuses linked to the World Cup. Fair Square, another advocacy group, accused FIFA of “plumbing new depths” by ignoring its own human rights report, which found that severe impacts on workers were not adequately mitigated.
FIFA defended its decision, highlighting Qatar’s Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund established in 2018 and calling the legacy fund a “pragmatic and transparent initiative.” Critics, however, argue that FIFA’s record-breaking £6bn in tournament revenue makes compensation for affected workers a moral obligation.
The controversy adds to years of scrutiny over the human cost of Qatar’s World Cup, which included reports of thousands of migrant worker deaths during the construction of tournament infrastructure. Despite labor reforms in Qatar since 2017, concerns persist about their enforcement and the lasting impact on workers’ lives.
Human rights advocates, unions, and fans continue to call on FIFA to address the suffering endured by workers, warning that the organization’s legacy is tainted without meaningful action.
