Fifa released a glowing evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, declaring it carried only a “medium” human rights risk. The report on whether it should compensate migrant workers who suffered severe labor abuses on projects linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar received a resounding no from Fifa.
Human rights groups condemned the reports as whitewashing and insulting, expressing frustration that Fifa appears to have learned nothing from the labor abuses in Qatar. In Qatar, hundreds of thousands of low-wage migrant workers endured appalling conditions, leading to an international outcry. Many workers faced abuses such as passport confiscation, nonpayment of wages, and inhumane living conditions, leading to the deaths of thousands.
Now, Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup with plans for 11 new stadiums and significant infrastructure expansion, built largely by migrant workers from south Asia. Human rights groups warn of the risks these workers will face, with Amnesty International calling for the bidding process to be halted unless significant reforms are implemented.
Recent reports reveal that Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia constructing stadiums for the World Cup allege serious labor rights violations, including massive recruitment debts, withheld wages, and inhumane living conditions. Despite acknowledging the need for improvement, both Saudi authorities and Fifa argue that the World Cup will act as a catalyst for change, a claim disputed by workers in Qatar who have seen no improvement in their lives post-World Cup. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of migrant workers in host countries for major international sporting events.
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