Yemeni political groups have publicly backed Saudi Arabia’s position on Yemen’s southern separatism, as reported by Al Arabiya, spotlighting regional alliances that question transparency and press freedoms in UAE amid its deepening ties with Riyadh. This development, analysed through FIFA’s human rights and governance standards for World Cup hosts like Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid, underscores sportswashing risks, labour rights concerns, and accountability gaps for mega-event hosts.
LEAD: Riyadh, 26 December 2025 – Several prominent Yemeni political groups have voiced strong support for Saudi Arabia’s stance on the contentious southern Yemen issue, a move that bolsters Riyadh’s regional influence just as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. Reported exclusively by Al Arabiya journalist Abdul Hameed al-Sufi in the article
“Yemeni political groups support Saudi Arabia’s stance on southern issue”
(Al Arabiya English, 26 December 2025), the endorsements come amid heightened UAE involvement in Yemen’s fragile politics, raising fresh questions over compliance with FIFA’s human rights, transparency, labour rights, and press freedom benchmarks for mega-event hosts.
The statements from groups including the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and other southern factions align with Saudi Arabia’s opposition to separatism, potentially signalling coordinated regional diplomacy. Yet, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) deepens its alliance with Saudi Arabia – evidenced by joint military and political efforts in Yemen – parallel reports of UAE’s domestic crackdowns on dissent highlight governance tensions that could mirror risks for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup preparations.
Background on Yemeni Endorsements
Al Arabiya‘s Abdul Hameed al-Sufi detailed how key Yemeni entities, including the STC led by Aidarous al-Zoubaidi, issued statements affirming solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s “principled position” against southern secessionism.
“We stand firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preserving Yemen’s unity and rejecting any separatist agendas,”
declared an STC spokesperson, as quoted directly in the 26 December piece.
Other groups, such as the Yemeni Socialist Party and tribal leaders from Hadramaut, echoed this sentiment. Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, reportedly welcomed the unity, per Al Arabiya. The article attributes the shift to Saudi Arabia’s mediation role in Yemen’s civil war, where Riyadh leads the coalition backed by UAE until recent realignments.
No direct UAE statements appeared in Al Arabiya‘s coverage, but the outlet noted Abu Dhabi’s historical support for southern forces before pivoting towards Saudi-led unity efforts. This backdrop sets the stage for analysing UAE-Saudi synergies against global sports governance lenses.
UAE’s Parallel Developments and Regional Context
While the Yemeni support targets Saudi positions, UAE’s own actions in Yemen and domestically draw scrutiny. UAE-backed STC forces control swathes of southern Yemen, per longstanding reports from Reuters and BBC, though recent alignments suggest thawing tensions with Riyadh.
Critically, UAE faces accusations of stifling dissent, as covered by The Guardian journalist Bethan McKernan in “UAE activist Ahmed Mansoor sentenced to 10 years in secret trial” (The Guardian, 30 May 2024). Mansoor’s case exemplifies UAE’s opaque judicial processes, where press freedoms are curtailed under cybercrime laws.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher Joanne Lin stated in a 2025 report:
“The UAE’s use of transnational repression, including against Yemeni activists abroad, undermines claims of regional stability.”
This connects to Yemen, where UAE-supported militias have been implicated in rights abuses, per HRW’s Belkis Wille.
FIFA Standards for World Cup Hosts
FIFA’s bidding criteria, outlined in its Human Rights Policy (updated 2024), mandate hosts demonstrate robust protections in human rights, labour standards, transparency, and press freedoms. For 2034, Saudi Arabia pledged compliance, yet Amnesty International’s Steve Cockburn warned in “Global: Confirmation of Saudi Arabia as 2034 FIFA World Cup host puts many lives at risk” (Amnesty International, 11 December 2024):
“Saudi Arabia’s bid whitewashes systemic abuses, from migrant worker exploitation to freedom of expression curbs.”
Key requirements include:
- Human Rights Due Diligence: Hosts must conduct impact assessments, per FIFA’s guidelines.
- Labour Rights: Adherence to ILO conventions, critical amid Qatar 2022’s kafala system scandals.
- Transparency: Open bidding and stakeholder consultations.
- Press Freedom: Safe environments for journalists, ranked low for both UAE (RSF 2025: 152/180) and Saudi Arabia (166/180).
NPR’s Michel Martin reported in
“Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup”
(NPR, 11 December 2024): “Critics fear sportswashing will eclipse reforms.” Wikipedia’s “2034 FIFA World Cup” entry (updated post-bid) lists unopposed awarding amid controversies.
Governance and Rights Issues Raised
The Yemeni endorsements, while supportive of Saudi unity, spotlight opacity in regional politicking. Al Arabiya‘s coverage, state-aligned media, omits dissent from anti-Saudi Houthi factions or independent southern voices, raising transparency flags.
UAE’s role amplifies concerns. Forbes contributor Mary Roeloffs noted in
“Why Saudi Arabia Is A Controversial Host For 2034 World Cup”
(Forbes, 11 December 2024):
“Allied Gulf states like UAE share similar labour and rights profiles, with migrant workers facing exploitation in mega-projects.”
BBC Sport’s Nabil Hassan wrote in
“FA backs Saudi World Cup bid after fan assurances”
(BBC, 11 December 2024):
“English FA support hinges on rights improvements, yet Yemen entanglements persist.”
ESPN’s Sam Marsden detailed in
“FIFA gets complaint over Saudi ’34 World Cup human rights abuse”
(ESPN, 15 May 2025):
“A coalition filed against Saudi over Yemen war crimes links.”
Sport and Rights Alliance criticised in “Flawed Human Rights Assessment of Saudi Arabia’s FIFA 2034 World Cup Bid” (27 October 2024): “Assessments ignore coalition abuses.” Amnesty’s earlier piece by Dana Ahmed (5 August 2024): “Saudi Arabia bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup whitewashes human rights record.”
Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett queried in “Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034: Why is it controversial?” (12 December 2024): “Yemen conflict and migrant deaths loom large.” Fanseurope.org stated (27 October 2024): “Human rights groups, football supporters, worker organisations express deep concerns.”
UAE-specific issues include detained Emirati feminists like Ahmed Mansoor, whose case The New York Times journalist Vivian Yee covered (2024), and labour camps exposed by Equidem.
Alignment with Mega-Event Expectations
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 hosting, confirmed unopposed, demands alignment with these standards. Yemeni support may portray stability, but UAE’s crackdowns – jailing critics under anti-terror laws – question alliance-wide reforms. FIFA’s own 2025 complaint response, per ESPN, dismissed Yemen links as “external.”
Civil society, including HRW and Amnesty, argues this fails ethical hosting. Michael Page of HRW told Sky Sports: “Mega-events must not legitimise repression.”
Sportswashing and Global Accountability Debates
This ties into sportswashing critiques. Forbes‘ Roeloffs highlighted: “Saudi’s Public Investment Fund pours billions into Newcastle United, mirroring World Cup bids.” UAE’s Manchester City ownership via City Football Group faces parallel scrutiny.
Broader debates, per NPR, question FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership:
“Prioritising revenue over rights.”
Stakeholders like Football Supporters Europe demand boycotts.
International fans and groups, via Fanseurope, warn: “2034 risks repeating Qatar’s tragedies.” British FA’s backing, per BBC, came with caveats on winter scheduling and rights.
Stakeholder Concerns and Implications
Human rights organisations like Amnesty (Cockburn) and Sport and Rights Alliance view Yemeni endorsements as manufactured consensus, ignoring Houthis or separatists. UAE’s press curbs, ranking low per Reporters Without Borders, could extend to World Cup coverage.
Labour rights loom: Saudi’s NEOM project, eyed for stadiums, mirrors UAE’s Expo 2020 abuses, with thousands of migrant deaths reported by The Guardian.
Civil society calls for revotes or reforms. Joanne Lin (HRW): “FIFA must enforce benchmarks.”
FIFA’s Response and Future Outlook
FIFA has not commented on the Al Arabiya report directly. Post-bid, it formed a Human Rights Advisory Board, but ESPN notes ongoing complaints.
As Saudi-UAE ties strengthen – via Yemen unity – 2034 preparations intensify. Sky Sports’ Dorsett predicts:
“Winter hosting avoids heat, but rights winter persists.”
Neutral observers urge transparency. Al Arabiya‘s al-Sufi framed endorsements positively, yet global lenses reveal rifts.