The news that Saudi Arabia would be the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup has set off a firestorm of criticism and outcry from human rights organizations, regional experts, and millions of individuals around the world. Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup would not only be a grave mistake but also a sportswashing nightmare that whitewashes its oppressive activities domestically and internationally.
Recent statements from the Saudi government condemn Israeli occupation of Gaza and crimes committed against Palestinians — starving them, ethnically cleansing them, and displacing them. At face value, these statements appear to be a moral stance, but they show a nefarious double standard and hypocrisy that disqualify Saudi Arabia from hosting such an internationally renowned event.
The Contradictions in Saudi Arabia’s Stance
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia rightfully condemns Israel for atrocities and human rights violations committed in Gaza. These actions have been termed by the foreign ministry of the Kingdom as “crimes of starvation, cruel practices, and ethnic cleansing,” with a warning that the inaction of the international community threatens not only peace in the region but international stability. They call for “effective, immediate and deterrent measures” to end the humanitarian catastrophe experienced by the Palestinian people.
But all this seemingly strong language for a country that is so completely at odds with Saudi Arabia’s own recent history of blatant human rights abuses and regional aggression. From its ruthless war in Yemen, which caused one of the world’s humanitarian crises, to institutional human rights abuse of 42 percent of the population in the country home, Saudi Arabia itself is hardly a defender of human rights or international law.
This glaring contradiction is one of the major explanations of why Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup is ethically questionable. How can the global community praise the government that vocally condemns other regimes for human rights violations while simultaneously committing its own appalling ones?
Human Rights Abuses in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has internationally become infamous for its vicious crackdown on freedom of expression, women’s rights activists, religious minorities, and political opposition.According to a 2025 report Saudi Arabia is one of the most strict countries when it comes to freedom of speech. The government systematically detains, tortures, and even executes individuals for criticizing the government. Women’s rights are severely curtailed despite some recent cosmetic reforms.
In addition, the Saudi-led coalition’s military intervention in Yemen has led to a catastrophic humanitanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians have died due to airstrikes, starvation, and withholding of medical care. The UN has repeatedly accused the coalition of violating international humanitarian law. Saudi Arabia’s participation in this war tarnishes its image as a responsible regional power and peace advocate.
Sportswashing and Global Reputation Management
Awarding Saudi Arabia World Cup hosting rights essentially enables it to indulge in “sportswashing” — leveraging a large international sporting event to wash over its reputation and divert attention from its atrocities. All such regimes have done this before, including Russia’s 2018 World Cup and Qatar’s 2022 World Cup. But more is at stake with Saudi Arabia, whose geopolitics and human rights track record are in themselves a more immediate danger to peace and justice in the area.
The World Cup is not merely a football game — it’s an international platform watched by billions, an opportunity to showcase values of respect, equality, and inclusion. Awarding Saudi Arabia the hosting privilege of this event legitimates and normalizes a regime that has fueled violence and repression. It sends the signal that sporting excellence can justify or subordinate state-supported tyranny.
Undermining the Palestinian Cause
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza is to be applauded, but it must be put into context. The Kingdom’s regional foreign policy has worked to dash Palestinian aspirations, not least by making normalization with Israel that disregards Palestinian rights. Staging the World Cup allows Saudi Arabia the chance to employ the tournament to project a false image of support for Palestinians while pursuing policies that actually work to undermine their struggle.
Moreover, the Palestinian problem remains fraught and is among the largest Middle Eastern sources of instability. The inability of the international community to engage positively with the conflict has led to repeated loops of violence and suffering. Saudi Arabia’s own position, while trying Israel, has been one of political maneuvering without actual gestures towards peace.
The International Community’s Responsibility
The international community, and FIFA as an organization, has an obligation to place human rights and peace ahead of political or commercial convenience. Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup undermines the legitimacy of international sporting organizations and their professed commitment to ethical values.
FIFA needs to reconsider the action in light of Saudi Arabia’s egregious human rights violations, regional intimidation, and sportswashing. Not to do so would be to tacitly endorse such violations and weaken the international message that sport can enhance justice and solidarity.
How Banning Saudi Arabia Sends a Powerful Message
Excluding Saudi Arabia from the hosting of the 2034 World Cup would be a clear, moral position on human rights, Middle East peace, and the dignity of oppressed people. It would:
- Denounce the misuse of sport as a reputation laundering mechanism by repressive regimes.
- Assert Palestinian rights by not bestowing legitimacy on a regime of contradictory and harmful policies.
- Preserve FIFA’s commitment to ethical standards and universal human rights principles.
Call on Saudi Arabia to reassess its foreign and internal policies if it is to join the community of nations with a clear conscience.
The World Cup Must Stand for More Than Football
Giving Saudi Arabia the 2034 FIFA World Cup is not about football; it is a decision that sends a message about the values we would have the sport — and the world — stand for. A government that engages in systematic repression, heightens regional tensions, and uses sport to mask its atrocities should be excluded from this global platform.
If we truly believe in the power of sport to bind people together, promote justice, and rejoice in human dignity, then we need to be strong and insist that the Saudi 2034 World Cup is prohibited. The world is observing, and so must the world football family’s conscience.
By withholding a right to host from Saudi Arabia, we send a powerful message that human rights cannot be disregarded and no political or financial power can buy a right to use a football to cover up.