The 2034 FIFA World Cup award to Saudi Arabia has sparked significant global controversy. Critics argue that ethical considerations have been sidelined in favour of financial and geopolitical interests.
Central to the debate are concerns about suspected corruption in the bidding process, the country’s track record on human rights, particularly LGBTQ+ rights and migrant labour and the potential sportswashing of Saudi Arabia’s international image.
Once again, another rotation of the world’s greatest football tournament is dominated by FIFA’s lack of transparency regarding the bidding process and discrimination in sports. Saudi Arabia’s unopposed bid for 2034 adds fuel to these allegations.
Investigative journalists at the New York Times and other respected media partners have highlighted irregularities in awarding major sporting events. Saudi Arabia’s bid follows in the footsteps of controversies surrounding Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup, where allegations of bribes and vote-swapping dominated headlines.
Amongst the ethical considerations of a country that enforces laws that criminalise homosexuality, with punishments ranging from imprisonment to corporal punishment, to the use of migrant workers (Human Rights Watch reported thousands of construction workers lost their lives in Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup preparations), Saudi Arabia’s focus on sustainability and innovation offers a counterbalance for consideration.
The Saudi government and sovereign wealth entities, like the Public Investment Fund (PIF), are investing heavily in green initiatives, including environmentally friendly stadiums.
This sounds positive, but press releases and fancy CADs created by lobbying agencies understandably make us all reach for the sport-washing handbook, given the country is still the world’s second-largest oil producer.
Words are one thing, but application is the only metric of validation. The well-publicised NEOM project, a futuristic and sustainable city called The Line has been delayed amid environmental concerns, labour rights abuses and budget cuts.
Saudi Arabia has pledged to build stadiums incorporating cutting-edge technology to reduce carbon emissions. The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Riyadh will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup final and run entirely on renewable energy, primarily from wind and solar sources.
The proposed use of solar energy, water recycling systems, and modular stadium designs indicates a shift towards sustainability. These innovations could set new benchmarks for green sports infrastructure if implemented successfully.
The ethical issues of FIFA’s decision will be debated until the first group game in 2034. While the event provides an opportunity to promote sustainability and cultural exchange, it also risks whitewashing the host nation’s human rights abuses.
As the world prepares for the tournament, global stakeholders must hold both FIFA and Saudi Arabia accountable, ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for human rights remain at the forefront of planning and execution. Will we see athletic role models and governing bodies mobilise against this decision?
We’ve seen the power of people recently in football and the momentum a movement can take. I’m sure the BBC remembers the impact of Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and others refusing to appear on Match of the Day in support of Gary Lineker.
Could an uprising like this ever happen before England’s FIFA World Cup qualification campaign starts in March? I think it’s unlikely. Given the four-year cycle, I fear no player will want to jeopardise a lifetime of dedication and sacrifice to not play in a FIFA World Cup when they may not get the chance again.
