Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be the future host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, portraying an image of being at the forefront of technology, cultural majesty, and world connectivity. But behind the glitzy PR spin lies a grim reality: environmental destruction and human rights violations that cannot be glossed over. One of the most disquieting instances of this paradox is The Line, a $500 billion mega-development promising a high-tech urban paradise but threatening ecological disaster, especially for billions of migratory birds.
The Line Project: A Glittering Death Trap for Nature
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Line project is 105 miles long and is planned as a vertical city surrounded by towering walls of mirrors. While this “city of the future” is being sold as an ecological marvel, the truth is something else. The project lies right on one of the most important migratory routes for birds flying between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- The Red Sea is a primary migratory route for more than 2.1 billion birds every year, including critically endangered species such as the Steppe Eagle and Egyptian Vulture, reports BirdLife International.
- Experts estimate that tens of thousands of birds will perish from lethal collisions with the reflective glass facade of The Line, just like glass skyscrapers contribute to high bird death rates globally.
- American Bird Conservancy has estimated that in the U.S. alone, as many as 1 billion birds die from window strikes each year. With The Line covering more than 105 miles, the issue is compounded exponentially.
Saudi Arabia’s Environmental and Human Rights Track Record
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with mega-projects such as The Line, is touted as a beacon of innovation and modernity. Yet the true picture is different. The kingdom has been criticized for environmental disregard for years, boasting some of the world’s highest per capita carbon emissions, high levels of oil dependency, and unsustainable water consumption. As serious as these environmental issues are, Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is just as concerning. From the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the current suppression of dissent, the leadership of the kingdom demonstrates an attitude of disregard for basic freedoms.
The Mirage of Sustainability
Saudi authorities state that The Line would operate on 100% renewable energy and zero-carbon emissions, but such claims are empty when measured against its environmental impact:
- Construction will disturb delicate desert environments, potentially destroying indigenous habitats for such species as the Arabian Oryx and Sand Gazelle.
- Conservation researchers caution that the confluence of extensive construction work and man-made barriers will disrupt natural migratory patterns with ripples on entire ecosystems.
- Albeit greenwashing, NEOM’s construction has already begun to displace such tribal groups as the Huwaitat, and has forcibly cleared land for urban development.
Saudi Arabia’s Bid for Hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup: Greenwashing at the Expense of Destruction
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is just one part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from oil. But this comes at a very high price:
- Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both chronicled extensive human rights violations, such as the arrest and detention of dissidents, the repression of women’s rights activists, and the repression of free speech.
- Saudi Arabia is ranked 170th among 180 nations in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, a testament to its repression of independent journalism.
- The Line project itself has been criticized for destroying houses and displacing residents without compensation, highlighting the hypocrisy of its “futuristic” dreams.
To host the 2034 FIFA World Cup under this kind of regime would come down to sportswashing—employing a world sporting event to whitewash a reputation sullied by human rights violations and ecological devastation.
Construction Delays Reveal Cracks in the Facade
The initial plan for The Line was to house 9 million residents by 2030, but recent projections suggest the actual population will be only 300,000, reflecting significant construction delays and foundational challenges.
Experts cite supply chain disruptions, rising construction costs, and technical challenges as reasons for the slow progress. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s yearly CO₂ emissions have kept growing, recording more than 578 million metric tons in 2024, highlighting the gap between words and deeds.
An Ecological Disaster Waiting to Happen
The development of The Line on a key bird flyway will have ramifications that resonate far beyond Saudi Arabia. The possible extinction of migratory birds jeopardizes the global ecological equilibrium:
- Birds are also key contributors to pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control, ensuring food security and biodiversity across the globe.
- The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) also states that 1 million species are facing extinction, primarily as a result of human activities.
By proceeding with The Line and bidding for the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia is indicating a readiness to compromise planetary health to gain short-term prestige.
Boycott Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup: A Moral Necessity
The message is unmistakable: Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup cannot be divorced from The Line’s ecological destruction and human rights abuses. The world needs to understand that:
- Bird kills due to The Line are not secondary effects—they’re indicative of a larger trend of environmental neglect.
- Human rights violations and the silencing of opposition must not be glossed over by a high-profile sporting event.
Sustainable development is about reconciling innovation with environmental and social justice, and not greenwashing on the backs of nature and humanity.
Join the Movement: Say NO to the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia!
We, as football fans, environmental activists, and world citizens, need to stand together to call for accountability. An event as global as the World Cup should be hosted as a privilege and not an instrument for washing over oppression and environmental degradation. Here’s how you can act today:
- Spread this message on social media to make a difference.
- Sign the petitions against the Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup.
- Support organizations that are working to protect birds and human rights.
- Use your voice to call for FIFA to select a host country dedicated to sustainability and human dignity.
Let’s demonstrate to the world that sports should bring people together, not hide injustice and devastation.