FIFA Urged to Halt Vote Over Concerns for Migrant Workers’ Rights Ahead of 2034 World Cup
Human rights groups are warning that migrant workers could face dire consequences, including death, if Saudi Arabia is awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 men’s World Cup. FIFA is set to vote on the hosting nation at an extraordinary Congress on December 11, where Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder. Amnesty International and the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) have raised alarm over the potential severe and widespread human rights violations that could occur if the tournament takes place in Saudi Arabia.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of labour rights and sport, highlighted the risks involved in awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring credible reform. He pointed out that migrant workers could be exploited, face discrimination, eviction, and even death. The current lack of commitments to reform exploitative labour practices in Saudi Arabia raises serious concerns about the well-being of those involved in the World Cup preparations.
The human rights strategy of Saudi Arabia has been criticised for failing to address issues such as the repression of free speech and the imprisonment of individuals solely for their expression. Amnesty International and the SRA have called on FIFA to halt the voting process until adequate human rights protections are guaranteed to prevent further violations from occurring. The organisations stress the importance of establishing reforms before proceeding with awarding the hosting rights.
Furthermore, a report from Amnesty and the SRA has also called for FIFA to demand credible and binding human rights commitments from the three principal hosts of the 2030 tournament – Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Concerns have been raised regarding the protection of players, fans, prevention of police abuse, and safeguarding residents’ housing rights in these host countries. The call for transparency and accountability in addressing human rights issues is becoming more urgent as the voting date approaches.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia in the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the transparency and fairness of the selection process. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Saudi Arabia’s bid was strategically engineered by FIFA, raising doubts about the integrity of the hosting decision. The close ties between the Saudi state and FIFA, through sponsorship deals and ownership interests, have also sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the decision-making process.
As the vote on the 2034 World Cup hosting rights approaches, pressure is mounting on FIFA to ensure that human rights considerations are at the forefront of the decision-making process. The spotlight on migrant workers’ welfare, freedom of expression, and overall human rights protections is intensifying, with calls for FIFA to uphold its commitment to ethical practices in the selection of host nations. The outcome of the vote and the subsequent actions taken to address these concerns will shape the legacy of the World Cup and FIFA’s stance on human rights issues in international sporting events.