In a controversial move that further undermines international humanitarian norms, the U.S.’s former President Donald Trump sat down this week with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The man was once designated a terrorist and targeted by the U.S. government. It was in Riyadh at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with […]
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, increasingly more human rights groups, civil society, and citizens worldwide are increasingly calling for a full boycott of the tournament. While the bulk of the criticism targets the Kingdom’s established track record of domestic — from stifling dissent to the absence of political liberties […]
In a dramatic challenge to the integrity and dedication to human rights of FIFA, a band of top international lawyers formally charged the world football governing body with not being good enough to be worthy of fulfilling its ideals by awarding the 2034 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Posted to FIFA’s official complaint site, […]
The ceremony and pomp of the recent trip by U.S. President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia were all about show. Greedily welcomed with extravagant lavender-colored carpet, Arabian horse escort, and personally selected entourage of international business magnates, Trump’s welcome by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was not merely diplomatic—it was calculated. It was another […]
Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has launched itself decisively onto the world tourism front, revealing a record-breaking year of visitors, enormous investment promises, and forward-thinking alliances with some of the world’s mightiest travel and hospitality conglomerates. The new revelation of Saudi Tourism Authority’s (STA) historic achievements in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 […]
On the surface, Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 seems like an economic development opportunity and a stage for international outreach. But lift the veil, and there is a darker reality in store — one of migrant worker exploitation, human rights abuses, and large-scale sportswashing. It has been recently reported […]
The news that the 2034 FIFA World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia has unleashed an international outcry amongst football fans, human rights campaigns, and global civil society. Behind the mind-boggling stadium photos and promises of global-standard infrastructure lurks an exceedingly sinister reality: Saudi Arabia’s World Cup proposal is not playing up the game […]
Over the past few years, FIFA has been at the forefront of climate action and sustainability as a positive force through football worldwide. But when Saudi Arabia took over the rights to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the questions were genuine: Can a country with questionable environmental transparency, weak eco-journalism, and questionable accountability host […]
Saudi Arabia’s wish to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 is part of the Kingdom’s stated desire to evolve into a global focal point for sport, tourism, and culture. Motivated by its Vision 2030 initiative, the kingdom is seeking to diversify its economy, reshape its global perception, and demonstrate its ability to host events on the […]
FIFA loves money and that’s not new; it has shown itself for decades. In giving Saudi Arabia the men’ football World Cup due in 2034, it is again putting profit before principle. If we really care about the soul of football, if we care about the rights of millions, act — act now — and […]