5 big issues that could block Saudi Arabia's bid to host 2034 FIFA World Cup

FIFA has appraised Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, praising its infrastructure and commercial potential but raising concerns about human rights, regional implications, and the risk to football’s reputation.

In its evaluation report released Saturday (November 30), FIFA said the Saudi bid presents a “very strong all-round proposition,” but cautioned that implementing necessary reforms could require “significant effort and time.”

Human rights groups and critics have pointed to several key issues that could pose challenges for Saudi Arabia as the lone candidate for the tournament.

1. Human rights concerns and press restrictions

Saudi Arabia faces persistent criticism for human rights abuses, including mass executions, allegations of torture, and systemic gender discrimination under the male guardianship system.

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Press freedom is severely restricted, with journalists and activists frequently jailed for dissent or critical reporting. FIFA’s report highlighted the potential for the World Cup to promote reforms, but experts remain skeptical about tangible progress in such a constrained civil society environment.

2. Infrastructure challenges

Many of the stadiums proposed for the 2034 tournament are yet to be built, causing worries about timely completion and the treatment of workers.

Rights groups have warned that the tournament could replicate the labour exploitation reported during Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations.

Questions also linger about whether Saudi Arabia can adapt to hosting in winter, as extreme weather conditions demand state-of-the-art facilities.

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3. Regional and geopolitical implications

Awarding the tournament to a politically sensitive West Asia region might distract from the sport and entangle FIFA in geopolitical controversies.

4. Risk to FIFA’s reputation
FIFA’s decision to consider Saudi Arabia’s bid has already sparked criticism. Choosing the country as the host nation could result in rights groups and fans accusing the organisation of prioritising commercial gains over ethical considerations.

FIFA risks further damaging its credibility, following previous controversies over its decision to host the tournament in Qatar.

5. “Sportswashing” allegations

Saudi Arabia has been accused of using high-profile sporting events to divert attention from its human rights record, a practice known as “sportswashing.”

Hosting the World Cup could bolster this perception, detracting from efforts to address systemic abuses and amplifying concerns about the tournament being used as a propaganda tool.

With inputs from agencies