FIFA: Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid carries a 'medium risk' for human rights

FIFA’s evaluation report has classified Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup as carrying a ‘medium risk’ for human rights, noting that implementing the necessary reforms could require ‘significant time and effort’.

The report, released ahead of the FIFA Congress on December 11, which will vote on the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, highlights that Saudi Arabia is the sole candidate for 2034. Meanwhile, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal have submitted a joint bid for 2030, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay set to host a match as part of the centenary edition.

FIFA’s evaluation praised the Saudi bid, stating it "presents a very strong all-round proposition," particularly in terms of proposed infrastructure (both sporting and general) and its commercial potential.

However, FIFA also issued a caution, emphasizing that the human rights measures required for the bid could take substantial time and effort to implement, especially in certain areas. This challenge contributed to the bid's ‘medium risk’ rating, despite receiving an overall score of 4.2 out of 5, which was higher than the combined bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA acknowledged the potential for the 2034 tournament to create significant positive impacts on human rights, noting that the event could act as a catalyst for ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia and the region, potentially leading to positive human rights outcomes beyond the tournament itself.

The proposed World Cup will require the construction of several new stadiums, with the possibility of holding the event in winter, similar to Qatar's 2022 tournament.

Human rights concerns, a major issue during Qatar's 2022 World Cup, are likely to resurface as the 2034 bid progresses. Rights groups have highlighted issues such as mass executions, allegations of torture, restrictions on women under the country’s male guardianship system, and severe restrictions on free expression, with individuals facing long prison sentences for critical social media posts.

Saudi Arabia has faced accusations of ‘sportswashing,’ using high-profile events like Formula One and the WTA Finals to distract from its human rights record.