FIFA Faces Blowback Over Human Rights Concerns Ahead of 2030 and 2034 World Cups
Amnesty International and sports rights group Sports and Rights Alliance (SRA) have issued an urgent warning to the FIFA Congress next month, urging it to reconsider its decision on awarding the 2030 and 2034 World Cups to Qatar's neighbor Saudi Arabia.
The joint report highlights significant human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, citing concerns over the treatment of migrant workers, LGBTQ+ individuals, and freedom of expression. Amnesty International and SRA claim that neither the 2022 or 2018 World Cup host, Russia, nor the 2026 host, USA, fully assessed the risks posed by these countries when awarding them football's premier tournament.
The report called on FIFA to impose a conditional bid on Morocco, Spain, and Portugal for the 2030 World Cup. The sports rights group argues that credible reform strategies from governments and football associations must be assured for any country hosting the world event.
Amnesty International described the risks posed by Saudi Arabia as "severe and widespread human rights violations" which could result in the death of thousands of migrant workers, who carry out major infrastructure projects while in bondage under Saudi authorities. The organization argued that awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia would be a gross betrayal of the organization's human rights standards.
FIFA must reconsider its bid after previous concerns raised by both human and rights organizations over exploitation, poverty, and widespread mistreatment towards migrant workers, it added. In contrast, reports from Morocco said they were implementing policies which strengthened their reputation for fair play and respect their human rights obligations. Spain also claimed to be promoting policies aimed at protecting its LGBTQ citizens.
Human rights law experts are urging the FIFA Congress to heed these warnings before proceeding with bid evaluation.
The report stated that "in spite of the global attention on Saudi Arabia, the risks associated with the country, as a result of human rights abuses against migrant workers and other victims, have not been taken sufficiently seriously".
Amnesty International has criticized Qatar's actions for its mistreatment of migrant workers over the 2022 World Cup. The case is expected to come before FIFA Congress in June next year.
The bid evaluation reports for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup were due to be published ahead of the FIFA Congress on December 11, as stated by a source from a media briefing attended by our writer.
Amnesty said it was "deeply disappointed" that Saudi Arabia has been re-nominated to host football's next global tournament, following concerns raised during human rights scrutiny over past human rights abuses in Qatar and recent World Cup qualifying match in Russia. The report added that "the risks associated with the country have not been taken sufficiently seriously".