CIVICUS discusses the implications of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup with Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR), an independent civil society organisation that promotes human rights and defends human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa.
FIFA’s decision to name Saudi Arabia the host of the 2034 World Cup has sparked widespread criticism. Civil society has denounced it as yet another attempt by a state known for its violations of women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights and its persecution of dissent to pour large amounts of money into sport to improve its global image. The event could lead to further human rights abuses, including the exploitation of migrant workers who’ll build stadiums and other facilities.