FIFA has classified Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup as “medium risk” for human rights in its evaluation report, released ahead of the FIFA Congress on December 11. While acknowledging the bid’s robust infrastructure and commercial potential, FIFA highlighted that implementing human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia could require “significant time and effort.”
A Strong but Controversial Bid
Saudi Arabia is the sole contender for the 2034 tournament, securing an average score of 4.2 out of 5 in FIFA’s technical evaluation — surpassing the 2026 North American bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, FIFA cautioned that the human rights measures required for hosting the event could present substantial challenges.
The report emphasized that the World Cup could act as a “catalyst” for reform, fostering positive changes in human rights both within Saudi Arabia and the broader region.
Ongoing Human Rights Concerns
Despite its ambitions, Saudi Arabia faces scrutiny over its human rights record, including mass executions, allegations of torture, and severe restrictions on women’s rights under the male guardianship system. Free speech remains curtailed, with individuals receiving harsh sentences for dissent on social media.
Rights groups and activists argue that hosting the World Cup could serve as a distraction from these issues, a practice often criticized as “sportswashing.”
Infrastructure and Scheduling Challenges
Saudi Arabia still needs to construct several of the proposed stadiums, and the tournament may need to be held during winter months to mitigate extreme summer heat, as seen in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.
The Bigger Picture
While Saudi Arabia’s bid highlights its rising influence in global sports — already hosting events like Formula One and the WTA Finals — the elevated human rights risk and accusations of sportswashing are likely to dominate the lead-up to 2034.
FIFA’s report acknowledges the “positive opportunities” that could emerge from the tournament but underscores that meaningful reform will require significant commitment from the host nation.
