Would FIFA Respond to the Call for Human Rights Accountability in Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Bid?

As FIFA edges closer to confirming Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, Together for Justice joins a growing coalition of human rights experts and Saudi activists in urging FIFA to implement independent, ongoing reviews over the kingdom’s human rights obligations for the tournament. The coalition, which pressed FIFA on Friday, calls for contractual terms that would include human rights accountability measures and even a termination clause to prevent abuse during the extensive construction projects the tournament demands—projects expected to rely heavily on migrant labor.

Rodney Dixon, a British lawyer, argued that FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino, should heed lessons from Qatar’s case and ensure protections for workers and residents affected by the massive infrastructure plans necessary for the World Cup.

Adding urgency to the call for action, Saudi Arabia’s recent failure to secure a seat on the UN Human Rights Council highlights the kingdom’s record on rights issues, including restrictive laws on freedom of speech, labor, and gender equality. FIFA’s hosting rules for the upcoming tournaments outline the need for a human rights strategy from host countries, but critics argue that FIFA’s standards focus solely on event-specific rights without requiring broad societal reform.

Despite Saudi officials’ claims of progress under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, Together for Justice and other human rights advocates remain skeptical. Research by Human Rights Watch details “grave labor violations” among Saudi Arabia’s large migrant workforce, raising the alarm over potential abuse if rights are not closely monitored. For those demanding greater transparency, an independent rights assessment remains essential, yet FIFA has not addressed these calls in detail, nor held a press briefing on the 2034 bid since Saudi Arabia’s accelerated campaign began.

Experts, including former FIFA anti-corruption advisor Mark Pieth, contend that FIFA’s duty is to ensure basic human rights standards are upheld if Saudi Arabia is to host the World Cup. Together for Justice calls on FIFA to respond meaningfully to these urgent calls for accountability, urging the sports body not to proceed without adequate human rights guarantees in place. With FIFA set to finalize its decision in December, only time will tell if it will hold the 2034 host to the same standards it claims to uphold.