FIFA’s World Cup Hosting: A Broken Promise on Human Rights

FIFA Broke Own Human Rights Rules for World Cup Hosts

Saudi Arabia Shouldn’t be Rewarded for Its Repression

New York, October 27, 2023—Global soccer governing body FIFA has broken its own human rights rules in announcing a plan for hosting the next two men’s World Cups that effectively eliminates bidding and human rights due diligence, Human Rights Watch said today.

On October 3, FIFA announced that the 2030 World Cup will take place in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain with games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. Each of these countries has serious human rights violations. In September, the Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, was forced to step down after kissing Jenni Hermoso, a Spanish football player and 2023 Women’s World Cup champion without her consent. Within hours after FIFA published its arrangements for the 2030 World Cup, Saudi Arabia announced its ambitions to host the 2034 World Cup.

“Barely a year after the human rights catastrophes of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, FIFA has failed to learn the lesson that awarding multi-billion dollar events without due diligence and transparency can risk corruption and major human rights abuses,” said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “The possibility that FIFA could award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup despite its appalling human rights record and closed door to any monitoring exposes FIFA’s commitments to human rights as a sham.”

Inadequate Due Diligence and Transparency

FIFA‘s failure to conduct adequate due diligence and transparency in its selection process for World Cup hosts is deeply problematic. It undermines FIFA‘s own human rights policies and jeopardizes the well-being of workers involved in the construction and servicing of stadiums and other infrastructure. Moreover, it sends a message that countries with blatant human rights violations can be rewarded with the prestige and economic benefits of hosting a World Cup.

Human Rights Watch is critical of FIFA‘s lack of response to requests for details on due diligence and stakeholder consultation for the selection of future World Cup hosts and awarding commercial sponsorship contracts. By disregarding these requests, FIFA is failing to demonstrate its commitment to uphold international human rights responsibilities.

Implications of Saudi Arabia’s Bid

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup raises significant concerns due to its appalling human rights record. Under Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s rule, Saudi Arabia has seen mass executions, continued repression of women’s rights, and the killing of hundreds of migrants at its border with Yemen. The country also imposes severe restrictions on journalists and free expression.

Migrant worker abuses, which Human Rights Watch has been documenting in Saudi Arabia for 25 years, persist despite some reforms in labor laws. Migrant workers continue to face serious abuses, including exorbitant recruitment fees, wage theft, and inadequate labor protections. The absence of unions, independent human rights monitors, and press freedom further exacerbate workers’ vulnerability.

The prospect of awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia raises the alarming possibility of exploitation and abuse of migrant workers involved in building and servicing the hosting infrastructure. FIFA‘s own track record of ignoring human rights protections in previous World Cup selections, such as in Russia in 2018, raises concerns about the safety and well-being of workers in Saudi Arabia.

FIFA Needs to Uphold Human Rights Standards

For FIFA to maintain its credibility and fulfill its responsibility to the world of football, it must take immediate action to address these issues. First and foremost, FIFA should delay and open the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup, ensuring that all potential host countries are held to the same human rights benchmarks. By doing so, FIFA can demonstrate its commitment to ethical, transparent, and unbiased decision-making.

FIFA should also make its labor, human rights, and environmental policies public and commit to their full implementation. This includes consulting a wide range of stakeholders, including potentially affected groups, human rights monitors, athletes, fans, and unions, before making major hosting decisions. Furthermore, FIFA should ensure that strict labor and human rights standards are upheld by all host countries, with robust mechanisms in place to monitor and address any abuses.

Ultimately, FIFA‘s actions will have far-reaching implications not only for the World Cup but also for the promotion and protection of human rights on a global scale. It is imperative that FIFA acts in accordance with its own policies and values, setting a positive example for the international community.

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