CIVICUS discusses the implications of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup with Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR), an independent civil society organisation that promotes human rights and defends human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa.

FIFA’s decision to name Saudi Arabia the host of the 2034 World Cup has sparked widespread criticism. Civil society has denounced it as yet another attempt by a state known for its violations of women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights and its persecution of dissent to pour large amounts of money into sport to improve its global image. The event could lead to further human rights abuses, including the exploitation of migrant workers who’ll build stadiums and other facilities.

Why did FIFA award Saudi Arabia hosting rights and what’s wrong with this decision?

We believe Saudi Arabian people have the right to experience an event as important as the World Cup in their country. However, the process that led to Saudi Arabia being awarded the 2034 Men’s World Cup was neither transparent nor in line with FIFA’s human rights policies.

There was no consultation with or involvement of key stakeholders whose rights are routinely violated, such as migrant workers and civil society organisations working to document human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The decision completely overlooked Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record and included no guarantees to protect public freedoms or freedom of expression before, during and after the tournament. And there was no commitment by the Saudi authorities to release thousands of prisoners of conscience, which could have been a meaningful gesture by the authorities to the world.

Why is Saudi Arabia investing so heavily in sporting and cultural events?

This is what we often refer to as whitewashing or sportswashing: a country hosting major international events to distract from its serious human rights abuses. It’s an attempt by the authorities to remake their image and portray Saudi Arabia as a progressive state.

The global human rights community is well aware of the ongoing rights violations, and this undermines the impact of such efforts. In October, for example, Saudi Arabia failed to secure a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council because many countries refused to vote for it, citing its poor human rights record. Overall, the impact of the sportswashing campaign is limited and linked only to Saudi Arabia’s ability to exploit economic relationships to make a few gains here and there.

Can civil society use Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup as an advocacy opportunity?

Yes, civil society can and should use this event as an opportunity to advocate for change. The GCHR is working to ensure that governments, international mechanisms and institutions like FIFA don’t allow events such as the World Cup to be used as a platform to whitewash abuses.

From the outset, civil society has urged international mechanisms, states that respect and value human rights and international institutions, including FIFA, to use this as an opportunity to advocate for peaceful change in Saudi Arabia. Human rights must be at the forefront of their concerns. The aim should be to ensure the country respects the human rights of all its citizens and residents, migrant workers included.

What should be done to ensure respect for human rights during the preparation and hosting of the tournament?

The first and most important step is for Saudi authorities to release the thousands of prisoners of conscience currently being held. Other necessary measures include the granting of full rights to migrant workers, such as the ability to form trade unions, and respect for public freedoms, including freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and the press. Women’s rights, including the right to political participation, must also be prioritised.

Implementing these reforms would demonstrate a genuine commitment to human rights and ensure the World Cup is delivered in a way that respects all stakeholders, from players and fans to local communities.

Governments and international organisations must ensure that countries with poor human rights records cannot use global events to cover up their abuses. Hosting opportunities should come with clear conditions requiring substantial and verifiable improvements in human rights practices. This means ensuring that any major sporting or cultural event is accompanied by meaningful reforms, before and after the event, to protect and uphold the rights of all people.