Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih proudly announced at the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh that 85 percent of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals are either complete or on track. “We’ve made remarkable progress transforming our economy and society,” he declared, noting that 675 multinational companies have already shifted their Middle East headquarters to Riyadh.
At face value, these figures sound like good news—evidence that Saudi Arabia is quickly modernizing and liberalizing. But under the glossy speeches and international investment conferences, there’s a nasty reality: Vision 2030 is not only an economic reform strategy. It’s a world image-cleansing operation, part of a calculated effort to divert the world’s attention from the Kingdom’s horrific human-rights abuses, censorship, and ongoing repression. And that is why Saudi Arabia should be prohibited from hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The “Vision” Behind Vision 2030
Unveiled in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vision 2030 was billed as a blueprint towards a “thriving economy, vibrant society, and ambitious nation.” The strategy vows economic diversification, moving away from oil dependence, and monumental investment in tourism, sports, and culture. But as the headlines fawn over mega-projects like NEOM, the Line, and Qiddiya, the Kingdom’s human-rights record paints an entirely different picture.
As reported by Amnesty International, Saudi authorities persist in conducting executions at an alarming level—more than 1,200 since 2015. During 2022 alone, 196 were executed—the most in 30 years. By October 2025, the state had already executed its 300th person for that year, including those found guilty of non-violent crimes. International critics have repeatedly denounced the execution of child offenders and political activists.
Whereas al-Falih is proclaiming “impressive progress,” the UN Human Rights Council keeps reporting systematic abuse of free speech, rights for women, and religious liberty. The 85 percent stat he mentioned may be economic achievements—but they obscure the 0 percent advance in basic freedoms.
Sportswashing in Action
The Kingdom’s massive spending spree in sports is a textbook example of “sportswashing.” Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)—one of the world’s richest sovereign funds with assets over $900 billion—has poured billions into football, golf, boxing, and Formula One. The acquisition of Newcastle United, the introduction of the LIV Golf League, and now the offer to stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup are all for one reason: to remake Saudi Arabia as a progressive, welcoming, and internationally respected country.
Having the World Cup would seal the fantasy. FIFA puts the 2022 Qatar World Cup’s earnings at more than $7.5 billion and brought in 1.5 million tourists. Saudi Arabia views 2034 as an even greater prize—an opportunity to bring international media coverage, increase tourism, and validate its leadership status on the international scene. For human-rights activists, however, this is deeply disturbing. A government that kills demonstrators, muzzles the press, and imprisons women for tweets does not deserve to host football’s premier event.
A Vision Built on Repression
Let’s look at the statistics behind Saudi Arabia’s “progress.” Freedom House’s 2024 Index finds that the Kingdom had a political rights and civil liberties rating of 8 out of 100—essentially one of the lowest ratings in the planet. Saudi Arabia was ranked 170th among 180 countries by the World Press Freedom Index 2024. More than 30 journalists and activists are still behind bars for exercising their right to free speech.
Women’s rights are closely held back. While the “guardianship” system has been somewhat eased, women are still heavily restricted from marrying, working, and traveling. Activists such as Loujain al-Hathloul, who fought for women’s right to drive, were jailed, tortured, and silenced. In March 2023, a Saudi court sentenced Salma al-Shehab, a mother of two, to 27 years behind bars for writing tweets advocating for reforms.
This is the same government that is declaring Vision 2030 to be 85 percent accomplished.
The Economic Illusion
Vision 2030’s central promise is to open up the Saudi economy. The revenues from oil, however, continue to provide around 70 percent of government revenue and almost 80 percent of exports. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth will decline to 2.5 percent in 2025 as a result of lowered oil production and international price fluctuations. Following a spate of infrastructure investment and corporate relocations, unemployment among Saudi youth continues to be more than 15 percent.
At the same time, migrant workers, comprising over 10 million of the population, are still subjected to exploitation and mistreatment under the sponsorship (kafala) system. Human Rights Watch documents that migrant domestic workers typically work 18 hours a day with no pay and are often refused exit visas or medical treatment. In 2024, Saudi Arabia banned employers from charging domestic workers fees—a concession that abuse is widespread and reform overdue.
So when authorities claim that “85 percent of Vision 2030 goals are on track,” it’s important to ask: which goals? Economic indicators are meaningless if they’re based on human misery and social repression.
Why the World Must Say No to Saudi FIFA World Cup
The World Cup is meant to bring people together in sport, diversity, and fair play. But giving it to Saudi Arabia would make it a platform for state propaganda. The same stadiums that can display football’s beauty can overshadow the harsh realities of torture cells and executions. Each goal celebrated would hide a shout for justice stifled within a Saudi jail.
FIFA, the fans, and sponsors need to recognize that attending is complicity. To support Saudi 2034 is to support a regime that executes its critics, silences women, and employs football to purchase legitimacy. It’s not about where the World Cup is hosted—it’s about what values the world’s most-watched sport decides to stand for.