Human Rights at the Forefront: FIFA Under Pressure for World Cup 2030 Host Selection

FIFA Urged to Prioritize Human Rights in Selection of 2030 World Cup Host

A Global Coalition Calls for Human Rights to be the Primary Consideration

A coalition of human rights groups, trade unions, players, and fans is urging FIFA to prioritize human rights as a key factor in selecting the host country for the 2030 men’s football World Cup. The Sport & Rights Alliance, representing organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Football Supporters Europe, conducted an opinion poll in 15 countries, revealing that a majority of the public (53%) believes human rights should be a critical consideration in deciding which country hosts major international sporting events.

The coalition demands that FIFA ensure its bid evaluation process reflects the results of this poll and rigorously applies the highest human rights standards when evaluating all bids. Clear human rights action plans should be demanded, and any bid that fails to credibly address and prevent human rights risks should be rejected.

Importance of Human Rights in Sporting Events

The call for prioritizing human rights in selecting World Cup hosts comes at a time when major sporting events face growing scrutiny due to concerns about human rights violations. The bidding process for the 2026 World Cup was the first to include human rights criteria, following controversies surrounding the selection of Russia for the 2018 tournament and Qatar for 2022. However, FIFA has since failed to perform appropriate human rights risk assessments in awarding other tournaments, including the Club World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite FIFA’s development of a sustainability strategy that included human rights commitments, saw widespread violations of human rights, particularly among migrant workers involved in tournament preparations. The coalition’s demand for human rights considerations reflects a broader concern for the ethical and moral dimensions of hosting major sporting events.

Results of the Opinion Poll

The opinion poll conducted by Amnesty International and YouGov involved nearly 17,500 adults across 15 countries. Participants were asked to select key considerations in selecting the host of an international sporting event. The top three factors selected were:

1. Safety and security of fans, athletes, and volunteers (57%)
2. Human rights, including workers’ rights, press freedom, and non-discrimination (53%)
3. Quality of infrastructure such as stadiums, transport, and hotels (48%)

The poll also showed that human rights was the top consideration in seven of the countries surveyed, with Switzerland leading at 68%. The public’s prioritization of human rights over commercial revenues for sports bodies (13%) underscores the global demand for ethical standards in hosting major sporting events.

Editorial: FIFA‘s Responsibility to Uphold Human Rights

FIFA, as the global governing body of football, holds a significant responsibility to promote and uphold human rights. The inclusion of human rights criteria in the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup was a step in the right direction, acknowledging the importance of ethical considerations. However, FIFA must now ensure that these criteria are consistently applied and given genuine weight in the selection of hosts.

The ethical dimensions of hosting major sporting events cannot be overshadowed by financial considerations or political ambitions. FIFA‘s statutes and human rights policy explicitly require the organization to respect and promote human rights, identify and address adverse impacts, and engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders. It is imperative that FIFA lives up to these commitments by conducting thorough human rights risk assessments and demanding clear action plans from bidding countries.

The violations of human rights surrounding previous World Cup tournaments highlight the urgent need for FIFA to demonstrate its commitment to human rights principles. Migrant workers in Qatar, who have suffered immensely, must be properly compensated for the abuses they endured. The selection of hosts for the 2030 World Cup provides FIFA with an opportunity to rectify past shortcomings by putting human rights front and center.

FIFA should not only prioritize the well-being of athletes and fans but also ensure that workers involved in tournament preparations are guaranteed fair treatment. Transparent consultation with civil society, including human rights organizations, should be an integral part of the bidding and evaluation process. By doing so, FIFA can send a powerful message that the beautiful game is not just about winning on the field but also about upholding the values of human dignity and respect.

Advice: Ensuring Ethical Sporting Events

While the responsibility for upholding human rights in sporting events primarily falls on organizations like FIFA, fans and consumers also play a crucial role. As this opinion poll suggests, the public wants human rights to be a priority in determining the hosts of major sporting events. Therefore, it is important for fans and consumers to voice their concerns and support initiatives that promote ethical considerations in sports.

Supporting organizations like the Sport & Rights Alliance and becoming aware of the human rights track record of potential host countries can help facilitate change. Engaging in discussions with fellow fans, football clubs, and even national football associations can raise awareness about the importance of human rights in our beloved sport.

Furthermore, fans should hold sports institutions accountable and ask for transparency and accountability in the bidding and evaluation processes. By ensuring that human rights risk assessments are conducted and action plans are demanded, fans can help shape a future where sporting events are celebrated not only for athletic achievements but also for their positive impact on host communities.

In conclusion, the coalition’s call for FIFA to prioritize human rights in selecting the host country for the 2030 men’s World Cup reflects the growing demand for ethical standards in major sporting events. FIFA must demonstrate its commitment to human rights by robustly applying its own policies and statutes, conducting thorough human rights risk assessments, and demanding transparent action plans from bidding countries. Fans and consumers have a role to play in pushing for ethical considerations in sports and holding sports institutions accountable. By working together, we can ensure that the beautiful game is truly beautiful for all involved.

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