Saudi Arabia has been officially named the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This decision has sparked significant concerns from human rights organizations, which highlight issues such as the nation’s treatment of women, migrant workers, and restrictions on freedom of speech. FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid labeled it a “medium risk” for human rights but emphasized the potential for the tournament to catalyze positive reforms as part of the country’s Vision 2030 development strategy.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s claims of progress in areas like women’s rights and labor conditions, critics argue that these reforms are insufficient or superficial, accusing the government of using events like the World Cup for “sportswashing”—improving its global image while avoiding deeper systemic changes. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on FIFA to demand substantial reforms before proceeding with hosting plans.
This announcement follows similar controversies around previous World Cup hosts like Qatar and Russia, where human rights abuses and governance concerns were widely debated. FIFA argues that hosting tournaments in such nations can foster change, but this perspective is highly contested.
