New Delhi: FIFA is set to announce the hosts for the next two men’s World Cups. The hosts are almost known from before, with only one bid each for both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be named as the hosts of the World Cup for 2030, while Saudi Arabia is the only bidder for the 2034 edition. The 2034 edition has more scrutiny than any other.
Michael Page, deputy Middle East and North Africa director for Human Rights Watch (HRW), recently cautioned everyone about the unfathomable “human cost” that the hosting will come with for one of the biggest sporting events in Saudi. There are concerns over the abuse of migrant workers, rights of minority groups and freedom of speech from human rights groups.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid is not just a one-time effort but part of a larger strategy to invest heavily in sports. Through its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the country has invested billions into transforming the sports landscape over a long timeframe, including in golf, boxing and Formula One.
According to the country, the investment is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which is a project undertaken by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in order to expand the economy and turn Saudi into one of the leading countries in the world. Investing in football is a no-brainer, as it is one of the most popular sports in the world.
The country was able to purchase a club in the English Premier League, Newcastle United, and attract big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League. In addition, the crowned prince has a strong ally in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is more than happy to welcome the big investment from the Gulf nation in the sport.
“You have to come and visit Saudi!” 🇸🇦
France icon @Benzema invites the world to experience Saudi Arabia’s incredible passion for the game, something he has felt and lived over the past two seasons 🤩#GrowingTogether pic.twitter.com/7yLAd9Fbyi
— Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™️ 2034 bid (@Saudi2034bid) December 8, 2024
Hosting the World Cup is the ultimate for Saudi of course and hence they have proposed big plans for the tournament. They have committed to big infrastructure apart from building and revamping of stadiums and 185,000 new hotel rooms according to reports. However, Human Rights groups believe that all of this glamour comes at a heavy price.
Migrant workers pay the price for World Cup glory
HRW’s report claims that the country is using the tournament to correct their reputation in concerns to human rights. The report was centred around the migrant labourers who are believed to be the ones who will be exploited the most while Saudis chase the World Cup dream.
Many migrant workers are still tied to “Kafala” sponsorship, which ties them to a single employer. HRW noted that such employees are susceptible to abuse, high-priced recruitment fees, confiscation of passports by employers, forced labour and a host of other problems. Despite many reforms over the years, employers have massive control over their workers.
Much of the chagrin from the groups is that FIFA has considered these factors as minor risks in light of the bidding that Saudi have done. Apart from migrant workers, there are also concerns regarding freedom of the press as well as the rights of women and how LGTBQ+ groups are treated in the country.
FIFA’s assessment of the situation comes from information provided by AS&H Clifford Chance, a law firm in Riyad. They were given the job of making independent report of the human rights condition. FIFA in their report had noted that hosting the World Cup would rather have “positive impacts” in relation to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Further they felt the amount of “concrete commitment” along with progress demonstrated make decision-taking easy.
Many have questioned this assessment as no independent human rights group has been able to work in the country. Many have noted the cases of the brutality they have faced under police run state with a crowned prince ruling. What everyone is, of course, hoping for is no brainwashing of Saudi’s image through sports.
There is no exact information if the tournament will be another winter fixture. The Qatar tournament had received many criticism for disrupting the domestic football season. There were multiple concerns over the rise of injuries for the footballers. FIFA had mentioned that Saudi Arabia hadn’t mentioned any particular timeframe for conducting the tournament but were looking for the best conditions regarding the same for smooth operations.
FIFA are all set to announce Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts as human rights group voice their concerns for the price it will come at. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
