The UAE’s support of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup bid intersects with global sports-governance standards, raising concerns about human rights, transparency, labour rights, and press freedom. These issues question the alignment of Saudi Arabia’s hosting ambitions with FIFA’s requirements and broader debates on sportswashing and ethical accountability.
Saudi Arabia Confirmed as Host for 2034 FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia was announced as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup following a virtual extraordinary Congress by FIFA, with the decision confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This event makes Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern country to stage the tournament after Qatar in 2022. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, marking a historic multi-continent event.
The selection process drew criticism from multiple stakeholders, including the Norwegian Football Federation, which condemned FIFA’s bidding process as “flawed and inconsistent.” Human rights organisations and labour groups expressed concern that awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia while not ensuring proper human rights protections risks jeopardising the safety of many.
UAE’s Support and Sports Governance Initiatives
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly welcomed Saudi Arabia’s bid, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure capabilities and experience hosting high-profile events. The UAE also positions itself as a leading sports destination supporting transparency and adopting regulatory reforms aligned with international standards. According to a 2020 analysis, the UAE has developed dispute resolution bodies inspired by FIFA’s models and enacted sports laws aimed at fostering growth under government supervision.
Despite these strides, the UAE’s media environment remains tightly controlled, with reports of censorship and restrictions on press freedom for journalists operating within the country. These factors complicate the picture of the UAE and Saudi Arabia as conforming fully to international standards on transparency and media freedom expected of sports-hosting nations.
Human Rights and Labour Rights Concerns
Amnesty International and other human rights organisations have voiced strong opposition to Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup without clear and enforceable human rights guarantees. There is particular worry over the treatment of migrant workers involved in event preparations and the broader environment of civil liberties, including women’s rights and LGBTQ+ protections. The criticism includes accusations that Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund are engaging in sportswashing, using sports events to distract from human rights abuses.
The lack of open debate and restricted press freedom in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE limits independent scrutiny, raising questions about the transparency of governance and labour practices connected to mega-event preparations.
Alignment with FIFA and Global Standards
FIFA has established human rights and transparency criteria for World Cup hosts, expecting adherence to international labour laws and protections for press freedom. The Saudi 2034 bid and UAE’s role highlight tensions between these standards and real-world governance practices. Observers note that FIFA’s decision-making process, accelerated timelines, and geographic restrictions effectively reduced competition, raising doubts about the integrity of the hosting selection process.
This situation exacerbates concerns about whether mega-events like the World Cup can be ethically hosted in nations with significant governance, transparency, and rights challenges, despite promises of infrastructural and economic benefits.
Wider Debates on Accountability and Sportswashing
International stakeholders, fans, civil society groups, and human rights organisations view developments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE through the lens of accountability and sportswashing. Hosting large global sports events has been instrumentalised by states to enhance international image despite problematic domestic policies. The Saudi 2034 World Cup exemplifies these broader debates on ethical hosting and the responsibilities of global sports bodies to ensure events do not enable rights abuses or opacity.
As the 2034 FIFA World Cup approaches, heightened scrutiny is expected from international civil society urging transparent governance, full respect for human, labour, and press rights, and accountability mechanisms embedded within event preparations.