In a move that surprises no one and disappoints everyone who cares about human rights, FIFA has granted Saudi Arabia the privilege of hosting the 2034 World Cup. Given that the Kingdom was the only bidder—thanks to a suspiciously short application window—the decision feels less like a democratic process and more like a poorly scripted reality show. Spoiler alert: the underdog didn’t win.
The Kafala System Lives On
Let’s start with the most vulnerable group—migrant workers. These men and women, often from South Asia and Africa, are the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s construction industry, a backbone frequently broken (sometimes literally) by the country’s notorious Kafala system. This legal framework essentially hands employers the keys to workers’ lives, allowing for wage theft, forced labor, and dangerous working conditions.
Now, with a World Cup to build for, you can bet those stadiums won’t be crafted by gilded robots. Nope, it’ll be human hands, and if history repeats itself, those hands will belong to poorly paid laborers working in sweltering heat without basic protections.
A Word from the ‘No Dissent Allowed’ Department
Saudi Arabia isn’t exactly known for its thriving democratic debate. Critics—be they journalists, activists, or just unlucky Tweeters—have a habit of disappearing. Not metaphorically. The government’s iron grip on free expression means that the inevitable protests against this World Cup will likely be smothered before anyone can chant, “What do we want? Justice!”
FIFA’s “Medium Risk” Assessment—A Joke in Poor Taste
FIFA’s official assessment labeled Saudi Arabia a “medium risk” for human rights issues, which sounds about as credible as a wolf guarding the henhouse. The evaluation relied heavily on information from Saudi authorities themselves, conveniently ignoring independent reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Echoes of Qatar 2022: Did We Learn Nothing?
If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Qatar’s 2022 World Cup faced similar criticisms, particularly over migrant worker abuses. FIFA’s promise to “do better next time” has, predictably, aged about as well as milk left in the sun.
Sportswashing: The Ultimate PR Move
Saudi Arabia’s bid is part of a larger strategy to “clean up” its image—or at least distract the world with shiny stadiums and Cristiano Ronaldo photo ops. This isn’t just a football tournament; it’s a full-on campaign to make the world forget about Jamal Khashoggi, jailed activists, and the war in Yemen.
And here’s the kicker: it might work. Hosting the World Cup gives Saudi Arabia a massive platform to shape its narrative, with the complicity of organizations like FIFA and the global media, which tends to forget human rights once the matches start.
The High Cost of a Shiny Image
Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as the epicenter of football ambition, claiming that its heavy investments in sports align with Saudi Vision 2030, a diversification initiative spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The plan? Turn the oil-reliant Kingdom into a global powerhouse. The strategy? Soccer—or football, if you prefer accuracy.
From snapping up Newcastle United to dangling jaw-dropping salaries to lure global football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar Jr., Saudi Arabia has gone all in on the sport. And why stop there? Hosting the World Cup in 2034 marks the apex of this venture—a culmination of extravagant spending, clever marketing, and a bit of soft diplomacy.
But let’s not ignore the fine print. While new stadiums, lavish hotels, and cutting-edge infrastructure are promised, the real costs are borne elsewhere—in sweat, rights, and silence.
The FIFA-MBS Bromance
It doesn’t hurt that MBS has developed a cozy rapport with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. If Infantino were a football coach, his game plan would clearly favor Saudi Arabia, despite glaring concerns over the Kingdom’s abysmal human rights record. Their public camaraderie symbolizes a marriage of convenience: Saudi Arabia gets global prestige, while FIFA secures a lucrative partnership.
FIFA, in its defense, claims a commitment to human rights. Its bidding process supposedly included a human rights assessment. But here’s the catch: that assessment relied heavily on Saudi government-provided data. It’s like asking a fox to audit the henhouse and expecting a balanced report.
Final Whistle or More of the Same?
The 2034 World Cup is still a decade away. That’s ten years for Saudi Arabia to prove it’s more than just smoke and mirrors. It’s also ten years for civil society to hold FIFA and the Kingdom accountable.
But history isn’t on our side. Unless we see sustained pressure—real, unrelenting pressure—the beautiful game may once again find itself playing on ugly terrain. The choice is ours: a football revolution or just another kick down the road.
