Saudi Arabia to host 2034 World Cup amid human rights concerns

FIFA announced yesterday that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s World Cup. The association also announced that the 2030 World Cup will have six cohosts: Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Saudi Arabia launched an unopposed bid to host the games after Australia and Indonesia withdrew. The Arab nation has poured billions of dollars into its image makeover from a country known for its oil to becoming a sports behemoth.

But FIFA received criticism from organizations like Amnesty International over Saudi’s human rights record.

Critics warn Saudi Arabia’s preparations will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. Several have accused the kingdom of “sportswashing.”

The kingdom plans to build eight new stadiums and other infrastructures for the mega soccer tournament. One stadium would be in the futuristic project Neom, a city yet to be built.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup follows other major ventures under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, including lavish investments in soccer superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, state oil giant Aramco’s FIFA sponsorship, and deals for other global sporting events like golf.