In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup, a historic first for the kingdom. But behind the hype of international sport is a somber truth. Recent events, such as a spate of viral clips showing masked citizens expressing discontent with conditions and demands for political reform, reveal the deep fissures in Saudi society. These courageous anonymous voices raise issues regarding economic inequality, political oppression, and the shocking absence of freedom of expression, especially in the media. While the kingdom is using the World Cup to shine its image for the world, we ask ourselves: at what price?
The Masked Voices: A Cry for Change
The videos go viral to expose an overwhelming sense of frustration among Saudi youth and citizens in general, who are growing disillusioned with increasing costs, job shortages, and the absence of channels for opposing their government. They hide behind masks for fear of being penalized. Their political reform demands betray an unfolding clamor for change on which the government appears determined to clamp a lid.
Economic Inequalities Amidst Excess Spending
While the Saudi state invests billions in mega-projects such as the $500 billion NEOM city and event-hosting stadiums, day-to-day citizens experience harsh realities:
1. Income Inequality:
The Gini coefficient is expected to reach 0.41 in 2024, which underlines substantial wealth disparities.
2 . Poverty Levels:
12.7% to 25% of people live in poverty, a large number making less than $530 per month.
3. Unemployment:
The unemployment rate should rise to 5.22% by 2024, corresponding to about 860,000 out-of-work citizens.
The Gagged Voices: Press Freedom Under Siege
Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on free expression is one of the worst in the world, and its absence of press freedom is inextricably linked with its human rights emergency. The kingdom exercises tight control over media outlets, both online and offline:
1. Press Freedom Ranking:
In 2018, Reporters Without Borders placed Saudi Arabia at number 169 among 180 nations for press freedom, a scathing reflection on its repressive media environment.
2. State Control:
Nearly all media in the country are government-controlled or subject to intense government influence, and independent reporting is practically nonexistent.
3. Censorship and Retaliation:
Reporters are imprisoned, harassed, and even murdered for their dissenting opinions. The killing in 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul sent a chilling signal regarding the regime’s willingness to suppress opposition.
4. Self-Censorship:
Due to the dangers involved, self-censorship is common among journalists and media houses, which closes the space for public discussion and fosters a climate of fear.
This suffocation of information deprives the Saudi people of freedom of expression and also prevents the world from knowing about the internal conflict. The going-viral videos of masked protesters are a symbol of desperation by a people otherwise muzzled.
Human Rights Violations and Vision 2030’s Hidden Costs
In addition to media suppression, the human rights record of the kingdom is otherwise as follows:
Executions: Saudi Arabia carried out 198 executions in 2024, a 30-year record. Most were charged with political dissent or drug-related offenses.
Crackdown on Feminists: The 2018–2019 anti-women’s rights campaign saw women’s rights activists arrested, tortured, and subjected to show trials, contrary to the kingdom’s self-proclaimed narrative of progressive reform.
Debt-Driven Initiatives: Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for modernization, prompted the nation to borrow more, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) investing more than $700 billion in assets, much of which went into giant projects, while priority services go underfunded.
The Case for Boycotting the 2034 FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia’s staging of the 2034 FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting event—it’s a chance for the regime to “sportswash” its poor human rights record. The moral argument for a boycott is straightforward:
- Sportswashing vs. Reality: A cleaned-up World Cup will cover up the kingdom’s extensive human rights violations, including suppression of the press, censorship, and state brutality.
- Solidarity with Silenced Voices: A boycott would be a tribute to the courageous masked citizens and journalists who risk life and limb for justice and truth.
- Global Responsibility: FIFA and the global community have a moral duty not to support a spectacle at the expense of silenced journalists, stomped dissent, and repressed people.
A Culture of Fear and Intimidation
The Saudi government is not simply silencing opposition; it’s creating a culture of fear meant to discourage opposition from even forming. Surveillance technology, pervasive informant networks, and punitive measures for alleged criticism create a climate in which free expression is a risky endeavor. Freedom House reports that Saudi Arabia earned a miserable 7 out of 100 for political rights and civil liberties. It is common for many citizens to resort to self-censorship to shield themselves and their loved ones. Such a climate of fear is seen in masked protest videos, when a mere criticism of living conditions or a call for rights can result in imprisonment or worse.
A Global Spectacle, A Local Tragedy
The worldwide reach of the World Cup plays into Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing strategy of using glittering tournaments to deflect attention from repressive home affairs. In 2023, the kingdom lavished more than $2.1 billion on sporting investments, including high-profile sponsorship deals with major world football clubs and leagues. This is not just about sport—it’s about controlling images. At the same time, public expenditure on vital services like education and healthcare has been stuck in neutral, leaving regular Saudis to struggle. Global sporting authorities such as FIFA are complicit, favoring profits and international clout over human rights. It’s a blunt message: entertainment trumping justice. But we can oppose this manipulation by declining to be dazzled.
The Silence of the Global Community
Perhaps the most disconcerting feature of Saudi Arabia’s repression is the comparative silence of the global community. Governments, corporations, and even sporting organizations too frequently look away from human rights violations in the interest of lucrative contracts and geopolitical alignments.
FIFA’s award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia is a stark instance of such complicity. The inaction of world leaders conveys a perilous message—that human rights may be disregarded if the bidding price is correct. It is our shared obligation to deconstruct this narrative. We can shatter the silence and step up the voices of the oppressed silenced by repression through boycotting FIFA 2034.
Stand in Solidarity: No World Cup, No Justice
The 2034 FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting event—it’s a decision. Will we remain silent while Saudi Arabia employs football to silence the voices of protest and gloss over repression? Will we stand with the courageous citizens behind the masks, calling for freedom, justice, and human dignity? Let’s not remain oblivious. No World Cup, no justice. Boycott FIFA 2034.