The recent decision by an American federal judge to allow 9/11 families to continue with the lawsuit that they filed against Saudi Arabia has once again put the global reputation of the kingdom in the limelight. In a 45-page ruling, American District Judge George Daniels set extensive evidence that two Saudi government–affiliated men, Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy, might have helped two of the 9/11 hijackers. For nearly 25 years, family members of nearly 3,000 victims have sought justice.
As a staunch campaigner for Saudi Arabia’s exclusion from hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, this ruling strikes me as a dire warning: to grant the kingdom the privilege of hosting the largest stage of football would be a suicidal promotion of repression, extremism, and impunity.
The Judge’s Findings: A Troubling Picture
Judge Daniels noted that Saudi Arabia’s justifications for Bayoumi and Thumairy’s activities were contradictory and weak. Bayoumi was videotaped discussing a mysterious “plan” by the U.S. Capitol and had sketches of airplanes with mathematical notation associated with descent paths—evidence he couldn’t explain. He hosted hijackers Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar in his San Diego apartment and helped them locate places to stay. During this time, the Saudi government significantly increased his pay.
Thumairy, however, was linked to the King Fahad Mosque in Los Angeles, where the hijackers went “immediately” upon arrival. There were regular phone calls between Bayoumi, Thumairy, the consulate and Saudi Embassy, reports show. The court determined enough circumstantial evidence to conclude that both men were acting on Saudi government direction while assisting the hijackers.
For the victim families, this was a victory after decades of courthouse barriers. For the world, it begs the question: if irrefutable evidence keeps pointing to Saudi Arabia’s role in 9/11, how does FIFA justify awarding the kingdom the honor of hosting the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia’s Sportswashing Campaign
Saudi Arabia’s sports investments are not motivated by love of the game—they’re motivated by image management. With billions of dollars dumped into LIV Golf, Formula 1, international boxing, and soccer, the kingdom is “sportwashing,” glossing over its human rights record with high-profile events.
The crown jewel of this policy is the FIFA World Cup. Organizing it in 2034 will project the picture of reform and modernization, whereas on-the-ground reality utters an entirely different script: widespread violation of human rights, intense repression of dissent, institutionalized discrimination against women, and a grossly punitive justice system.
FIFA claims to be a champion of respect, equity, and inclusion. By granting the World Cup to Saudi Arabia, however, those same principles are being undermined.
Irrefutable Stats
Numbers have a tendency to resurface that bear out what official reports do not care for us to perceive. With Saudi Arabia, however, statistics bear a chilling tale.
Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Over 21,000 foreign workers have been murdered since 2017, when construction commenced on “Vision 2030” megaprojects such as Neom, with most having died of such vague causes as “cardiac arrest” to obscure conditions of labor.
A minimum of 17 Nepali migrant workers have been murdered in the past 18 months alone on Saudi construction sites, whose accidents too frequently remain unreported.
Record-Breaking Executions
- In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 345 people—its highest annual total in three decades.
- By mid-2025, another 180 executions had already been carried out.
Roughly two-thirds of executions were for nonviolent drug crimes, and more than half of those executed were foreign nationals, many denied fair trials or legal representation.
Human Rights and Freedoms
- Freedom House gives Saudi Arabia a world freedom rating of 9/100, ranking it as “Not Free.”
- Online freedoms are restricted as well, receiving a “Freedom on the Net” score of 25/100, reflecting censorship and surveillance.
- Saudi Arabia ranks at position number 162 out of 180 in the 2025 Press Freedom Index, with journalists behind bars or silenced.
Women’s Rights and Discrimination
- Only 10.7% of the workers are women even though 70% of graduates from universities are women.
- Domestic violence may occur to 20–39% of women, and 90% of these abusers are guardians under the male guardian system.
- Gender-based limitations on freedom of movement, family life, and vocation are still prevailing.
These are not statistics worthy of a nation for hosting the world’s most popular sporting tournament.
The 9/11 Families’ Fight for Justice
Kreindler & Kreindler, attorneys for the 9/11 families, welcomed Judge Daniels’ ruling as a move toward the truth. Meanwhile, as these families continue their lengthy quest for justice, FIFA has opted to reward the very country that has been implicated in their tragedy.
This is not only insensitive—but reprehensible. Signing up with Saudi Arabia equates to betraying not just the relatives of the 9/11 victims, but football supporters around the world who expect fairness, honesty, and accountability.
FIFA’s Responsibility
Hosting a World Cup is not a politically neutral act—organizing a World Cup gives the organizing state legitimacy and prestige. For Saudi Arabia, holding the tournament will be a propaganda victory that lets it polish its reputation without being called to account over human rights abuses.
FIFA has not been immune to criticism. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was marred by the death of migrant workers and autocratic crackdowns. FIFA shows that it has learned nothing from experience as the 2034 tournament was given to Saudi Arabia.
Boycott Saudi FIFA World Cup 2034
The struggle against the Saudi World Cup is more than football. It is 9/11 family justice, accountability for dead migrant workers, respect for women, and freedom for stifled voices. Judge Daniels’ ruling makes the argument for a ban even more compelling. If FIFA can’t be moved, then it’s up to us—fans, players, activists, and global citizens. We can’t allow Saudi Arabia to use football as a tool for sportswashing. We must hold them accountable. And we must stand for justice rather than profit.