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Saudi Arabia Named 2034 FIFA World Cup Host Amid Human Rights Concerns

Dec 12, 2024, 08:48 AM

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, following an official announcement by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The tournament is expected to be held across stadiums in five cities, marking a significant achievement for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his efforts to leverage sports for tourism and influence. Celebrations erupted in Riyadh, featuring fireworks and a drone show, as football fans welcomed the news. However, the decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which highlighted concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and labor laws. Comparisons have been made to previous controversial World Cup hosts, such as Italy in 1934 under Benito Mussolini, Argentina in 1978 during a military dictatorship, and Russia in 2018 under Vladimir Putin. The tournament's scheduling is under consideration, with suggestions that, like Qatar 2022, it may not occur in the summer due to heat concerns and could coincide with the month of Ramadan.