Reports from major human rights organizations or news outlets

FIFA Awards 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia Amid Human Rights Concerns

Dec 11, 2024, 10:44 AM

FIFA is set to officially announce Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 men's World Cup, while Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the 2030 tournament, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting celebratory games. The decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia has sparked controversy due to concerns over human rights issues, including the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, women's rights, and sustainability. Critics argue that the bidding process was engineered to avoid competition, despite these ethical concerns. The English Football Association (FA) is expected to support both the 2030 and 2034 bids, although this support has raised questions about the integrity of the process. Norway has expressed its intention to protest FIFA's decision by abstaining from the vote.