FIFA’s evaluation report on Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has highlighted significant concerns over human rights, classifying the potential risks as “medium” while acknowledging the country’s commitment to various reforms.
The report, released on 30th November, is set against the backdrop of FIFA’s upcoming Congress on 11th December, where delegates will vote to determine the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.
Saudi Arabia is the sole candidate for the 2034 tournament, with a bid that promises a “very strong all-round proposition”, according to FIFA. The report praised the proposed infrastructure, both for sporting events and general facilities, as well as the commercial potential for the country.
However, FIFA also cautioned that achieving the necessary human rights reforms could take “significant time and effort,” which contributed to the “medium risk” classification in the evaluation.
Although Saudi Arabia’s bid scored an impressive 4.2 out of 5, surpassing the joint bid from the US, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has raised concerns about the human rights challenges the country faces.
“The undertaking involved in implementing the various measures… particularly in certain areas, could involve significant effort and time,” the report warned.
Despite these concerns, FIFA recognised the potential for positive human rights impacts, with the tournament seen as a possible catalyst for ongoing and future reforms.
“There is good potential that the tournament could serve as a catalyst for some of the ongoing and future reforms and contribute to positive human rights outcomes for people in Saudi Arabia and the region that go beyond the scope of the tournament itself,” FIFA added.
One major hurdle in the bid is the construction of several proposed stadiums, as Saudi Arabia has yet to begin building these venues. The tournament could be held in winter, similar to the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar.
Human rights will likely be a central issue in discussions leading up to the vote, with critics pointing to Saudi Arabia’s record on mass executions, allegations of torture, and severe restrictions on women’s rights under the country’s male guardianship system. The crackdown on free expression remains another concern, with individuals being jailed for critical social media posts.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in hosting major sporting events, including Formula One and the WTA tennis finals, has led to accusations of “sportswashing,” with critics arguing that these events are used to divert attention from the country’s human rights record.
The decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia comes amid growing scrutiny of the role sport plays in political and human rights issues. The controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where similar human rights concerns were raised, is still fresh in the minds of many.
While Saudi Arabia’s bid is seen as a strong contender in terms of infrastructure and commercial appeal, the international community will be watching closely as the FIFA Congress draws nearer, with the human rights situation likely to remain a significant factor in the final decision.
