Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 people in 2025, shattering its previous record of 345 in 2024, with 243 linked to drug offences amid a reinstated “war on drugs” targeting mostly foreign nationals after unfair trials. This surge, contradicting Vision 2030 reform pledges, challenges FIFA’s human rights, labour rights, transparency, and press freedom standards for […]
Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Space Agency signed a memorandum with Japan’s government on peaceful space use, emphasising cooperation in science, technology, and capacity building, as reported by Arab News PK and Qazinform. This development raises questions about sportswashing parallels to the kingdom’s FIFA 2034 hosting amid persistent human rights critiques from Amnesty International and Human Rights […]
Saudi Arabia dominated Middle East venture capital in 2025 with $1.72 billion in funding and 257 deals, per MAGNiTT’s report, fuelling sports investments like $309 million in fitness amid Vision 2030. This lens raises sportswashing concerns against FIFA’s human rights, labour, and transparency standards for 2034 World Cup hosts, questioning ethical alignment. Saudi Arabia led […]
Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rose 10.4 per cent year-on-year in November 2025, propelled by 12.6 per cent growth in mining and quarrying, primarily oil production at 10.1 million barrels per day, raising questions over FIFA’s human rights, labour rights, transparency, and environmental standards for the 2034 World Cup host. This analysis examines compliance concerns, sportswashing […]
Saudi Arabia’s reported purchase of JF-17 fighter jets for Sudan, framed through global sports-governance standards, raises alarms over arms proliferation into conflict zones conflicting with FIFA’s human rights, transparency, and labour rights mandates for 2034 hosts. This development questions ethical hosting amid billions spent on the tournament, echoing Qatar 2022 migrant deaths and demanding FIFA […]
Saudi Arabia has reintroduced critically endangered red-necked ostriches into the 24,500 sq km Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve to replace the extinct Arabian ostrich, hailed as a biodiversity milestone under Vision 2030. Critics question if this environmental PR masks greenwashing amid FIFA 2034’s projected massive carbon emissions from stadiums and infrastructure, conflicting with global […]
Saudi Arabia’s pivot to public‑private partnerships for 2034 World Cup stadiums, including Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City, intensifies questions over FIFA’s ability to enforce human‑rights, transparency and labour safeguards on host nations. The emerging PPP model, while attracting foreign investment and expertise, raises new concerns about accountability, workers’ rights, and public scrutiny across the […]
The Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) consideration of moving the 2027 Supercopa de España away from Saudi Arabia, despite a long‑term contract to 2029, exposes how lucrative hosting deals can be reconsidered when political, reputational and practical costs mount. This development strengthens calls for FIFA and international stakeholders to revisit the award of the 2034 World […]
Saudi surgeons’ training mission in Indonesia showcases high-profile medical diplomacy but highlights a stark contrast with unresolved labour-rights, accountability and transparency concerns tied to Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. The initiative underscores how soft-power humanitarian campaigns can sit uneasily alongside restrictive conditions for workers and residents who may be affected […]
Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate among nationals climbed to 7.5% in Q3 2025, the highest in a year, amid falling labour force participation and government crackdowns on social media critics protesting cost-of-living hikes and benefit cuts. These developments challenge FIFA’s human rights, labour rights, transparency, and press freedom standards for World Cup hosts, spotlighting potential sportswashing […]