Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a decision that has sparked considerable controversy and debate.
The announcement was made during an online meeting of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), where the 211 members confirmed Saudi Arabia's unchallenged bid by acclamation. This decision marks Saudi Arabia as the second Middle Eastern country to host the prestigious tournament, following Qatar's hosting in 2022.
The selection of Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup has not come without its share of criticism. Human rights organizations have voiced strong concerns over the country's human rights record, accusing it of "sportswashing"—a term used to describe the practice of using major sporting events to improve a nation's image while diverting attention from negative actions.
Amnesty International and other activist groups have highlighted issues such as the treatment of migrant workers, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as areas of concern.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of labor rights and sport, criticized FIFA's evaluation of Saudi Arabia's bid, describing it as an "astonishing whitewash" of the country's human rights record.
He emphasized that there are no meaningful commitments in place to prevent potential exploitation of workers, eviction of residents, or arrest of activists. Cockburn warned that without fundamental human-rights reforms, the 2034 World Cup could be tarnished by exploitation, discrimination, and repression.
The bidding process for the 2034 World Cup saw Saudi Arabia emerge as the sole candidate after Australia withdrew its bid. Australia had initially entered the race but decided to focus on securing the 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup instead. This left Saudi Arabia as the only bidder, effectively securing its position as the host nation by default.
FIFA's decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia has also raised questions about the organization's commitment to human rights. In 2017, FIFA became the first global sports body to include human rights considerations in its bidding process. However, critics argue that the implementation of these considerations has been inadequate, with FIFA accused of complicity in Saudi Arabia's alleged abuses.
Despite the controversies, Saudi Arabia is moving forward with its plans for the 2034 World Cup. The country will need to construct eight new stadiums, bringing the total number of hosting venues to 15.
Additionally, the tournament will require the addition of 175,000 hotel rooms, which will heavily rely on migrant labor. One of the planned stadiums is set to be built in a city that does not yet exist, highlighting the scale of the infrastructure development required.
The decision to host the World Cup in Saudi Arabia has also reignited discussions about the timing of the tournament. While traditionally held in the summer, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was moved to the winter months due to the region's hot climate. It remains to be seen whether Saudi Arabia will follow suit and announce a similar shift in scheduling.
In response to the criticisms, Hammad Albalawi, the head of Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, stated that the country has made strides in terms of human rights in recent years. However, many remain skeptical, pointing to ongoing issues and the lack of substantial reforms.
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