Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup are encountering significant delays and cost-cutting measures, as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) scales back expenditure amid economic pressures. These developments raise concerns about compliance with FIFA’s human rights, transparency, labor rights, and press freedom requirements, echoing past controversies seen in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup and prompting renewed scrutiny from global watchdogs.
Stadium Plans Delayed Amid Fiscal Austerity
Saudi Arabia’s construction of 11 new stadiums for the 2034 World Cup is facing delays, with several architecture firms asked to resubmit designs after their initial proposals were deemed too expensive by the PIF, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.
Contractors scheduled to begin work next year have been informed that the build will not start on time, according to information provided to The Guardian.
The desire to cut costs reflects broader fiscal constraints linked to declining oil revenues and global economic shifts, which are forcing Saudi Arabia to reassess its spending on mega-projects, including the World Cup infrastructure.
FIFA’s Human Rights and Transparency Requirements
FIFA’s official human rights and anti-discrimination policies mandate that host nations must safeguard human rights, ensure transparency, protect labor rights, and guarantee press freedom for all stakeholders involved in the World Cup.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly called on FIFA to conduct genuinely independent human rights risk assessments and secure binding commitments from host countries to prevent violations.
However, reports indicate that Saudi Arabia’s bid book, human rights strategy, and independent context assessment—submitted as part of FIFA’s requirements—largely ignore well-documented risks faced by workers, including forced labor and wage theft.
Labour Rights and the Kafala System
Saudi Arabia’s labor system, particularly the kafala (visa sponsorship) regime, has been widely criticized for enabling exploitation and abuse of migrant workers.
Human Rights Watch notes that the country’s FIFA bid documents fail to address these systemic issues, nor do they include perspectives from migrant workers, civil society, or labor unions.
The absence of robust protections for labor rights raises legitimate concerns about the welfare of the hundreds of thousands of workers expected to be involved in World Cup construction and operations.
Governance, Transparency, and Press Freedom Concerns
FIFA’s human rights policy requires meaningful participation of civil society organizations, trade unions, fans’ representatives, and groups facing discrimination throughout the bidding and tournament preparation process.
However, critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s bid process lacked such engagement, with no consultations held with independent human rights groups, trade unions, or representatives of marginalized communities.
This lack of transparency and inclusion undermines FIFA’s stated commitments and raises questions about the integrity of the host selection process.
Saudi Arabia’s restrictive media environment, including censorship and limited access for international journalists, could hinder independent reporting on World Cup preparations and related human rights issues.
Sportswashing and Ethical Hosting Debates
The awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia has been widely condemned by human rights organizations and civil society groups as an example of “sportswashing”—the use of major sporting events to improve a country’s international image while deflecting attention from its human rights record.
Critics argue that FIFA’s decision to award the tournament to Saudi Arabia, without a competitive bidding process or rigorous human rights due diligence, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the credibility of global sports governance.
Broader Accountability and Stakeholder Concerns
International stakeholders, including fans, civil society groups, and human rights organizations, have expressed alarm over the lack of accountability and transparency in FIFA’s handling of the 2034 World Cup bid.
The failure to conduct independent human rights risk assessments and secure binding commitments from Saudi Arabia raises legitimate concerns about the welfare of workers, the integrity of the tournament, and the broader implications for ethical hosting of mega-events.
The Path Forward
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the delays and cost-cutting measures in stadium construction highlight the challenges of balancing ambition with fiscal reality.
However, these developments also underscore the urgent need for greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to global sports-governance standards.
The international community must remain vigilant to ensure that the tournament is not marred by human rights abuses, labor exploitation, or a lack of press freedom.
Only by addressing these concerns can FIFA uphold its commitment to ethical hosting and safeguard the integrity of the world’s largest sporting event.