Saudi Arabia to host 2034 World Cup amid controversy over human rights

Saudi Arabia has officially been named the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup following a virtual meeting of FIFA’s 211 member associations.

The decision, finalized without opposition, solidifies Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports after Australia withdrew from the race in October 2023, leaving the Gulf kingdom as the sole bidder.

The announcement comes alongside FIFA’s earlier decision to award the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, marking the first uncontested bids for football’s premier tournament in over 50 years. However, Saudi Arabia’s selection has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations, which warn of dire consequences for migrant workers tasked with constructing stadiums, hotels, and infrastructure to accommodate the massive influx of fans.

“We want FIFA to condition it to the release of political prisoners,” said Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi human rights activist. “We want it to be conditional on the lifting of travel bans, ending the death penalty, and bringing in human rights organizations on the ground.”

Despite such concerns, the English Football Association opted not to protest the decision during the virtual meeting. This contrasts with their stance before the 2022 Qatar World Cup, when they joined European counterparts in advocating for compensation funds for migrant workers and protections for LGBTQ+ fans.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) openly criticized FIFA’s bidding process ahead of the meeting, calling it “flawed and inconsistent” and demanding “greater transparency, fairness, and stricter adherence to FIFA’s 2016 reforms.”

The tournament’s scheduling remains uncertain. While FIFA previously noted Riyadh’s extreme summer heat—where temperatures often exceed 40°C—many anticipate a January World Cup to avoid conflicts with Christmas and Ramadan, mirroring Qatar’s winter hosting in 2022.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has strategically invested in global sports, forging ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and securing a sponsorship deal with state-owned oil giant Aramco earlier this year. Critics have labeled these efforts as “sports washing,” a term MBS himself has dismissed. Speaking to Fox News, he quipped, “If sport washing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then I will continue doing sport washing… Call it whatever you want.”

While the announcement lacked fanfare, the decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing ambition on the global stage, despite mounting scrutiny over its human rights record.