The report details Saudi Arabia's extensive investment—around £5bn—aimed at diversifying its economy through high-profile sporting events. FIFA acknowledges the country’s commitment to sustainability amid a vast construction program but emphasizes the challenges posed by the intense summer heat, suggesting that hosting could occur in cooler months like previous tournaments. While the Saudi bid is celebrated for its potential to bolster tourism and local economy, organizations such as Amnesty International have denounced the evaluation as a "whitewash" of serious human rights abuses, including the treatment of migrant workers and freedoms of expression and assembly.
In a broader context, FIFA also evaluated the recently announced co-hosting arrangement for the 2030 World Cup, stating it would negatively impact the climate due to air travel and construction. The immense environmental implications raise considerable concerns amid ongoing critiques of FIFA's environmental commitments.
With the FIFA Congress set for December 11 to ratify the host nation decisions, the world watches to see if Saudi Arabia can effectively leverage the tournament to enact meaningful reforms or if the event will merely highlight the ongoing human rights challenges within the country.
As anticipation builds around the 2034 World Cup, the true implications for Saudi Arabia remain uncertain, with hopes that the global spotlight may prompt transformative change amidst longstanding criticisms.
In a broader context, FIFA also evaluated the recently announced co-hosting arrangement for the 2030 World Cup, stating it would negatively impact the climate due to air travel and construction. The immense environmental implications raise considerable concerns amid ongoing critiques of FIFA's environmental commitments.
With the FIFA Congress set for December 11 to ratify the host nation decisions, the world watches to see if Saudi Arabia can effectively leverage the tournament to enact meaningful reforms or if the event will merely highlight the ongoing human rights challenges within the country.
As anticipation builds around the 2034 World Cup, the true implications for Saudi Arabia remain uncertain, with hopes that the global spotlight may prompt transformative change amidst longstanding criticisms.
