Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 World Cup, drawing criticism from human rights groups

Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, said on the social media platform X, “The Kingdom is excited to show its global sports leadership immersed in a vibrant culture, while demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and excellence.”

The decision, however, comes with pushback from groups that criticize Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. 

A joint statement from 21 organizations — with signatories from international trade unions and global human rights organizations such as Amnesty International — called the move a “moment of great danger” for human rights. 

“FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk,” the statement read. “Based on clear evidence to date, FIFA knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless. The organization risks bearing a heavy responsibility for many of the human rights abuses that will follow.

“At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham. Meanwhile, its continued failure to compensate migrant workers who were exploited in Qatar provides scant confidence that lessons have been learned. FIFA must urgently change course and ensure that the World Cup is accompanied by wide-ranging reforms in Saudi Arabia, or risk a decade of exploitation, discrimination and repression connected to its flagship tournament.”

Human Rights Watch and other agencies have called out Saudi Arabia for a record of abuse that includes imprisoning women’s rights campaigners, killing journalist Jamal Kashoggi in 2018 and executing 81 people in a single day in 2022.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was marred with controversy after the deaths of migrant workers who helped build the infrastructure over long periods in extreme heat.

Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee, told Piers Morgan in 2022 that “between 400 and 500” migrants died but he did not “have the exact number.”

The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the upcoming World Cup in 2026. The 48-team tournament will take place in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19. The next Women’s World Cup will take place in Brazil between June 24 and July 25, 2027.