Fifa faces renewed criticism over human rights in Saudi Arabia's World Cup bid

Saudi Arabia is facing scrutiny over its human rights record as it vies to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup. The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) trade union has raised alarms about the treatment of migrant workers in the country, highlighting numerous abuses, including unpaid wages. Since June, the BWI has reached out to Fifa, seeking dialogue about these concerns, particularly given the plight of thousands of workers from countries such as the Philippines who have not received due compensation for years. The BWI asserts that Fifa has ignored their requests for engagement, raising concerns about conducting a bidding process without thorough human rights assessments. Criticism has intensified as legal experts have claimed that Fifa has not adequately addressed legal issues related to human rights in Saudi Arabia. This lack of engagement is compounded by the ongoing suffering of over 21,000 migrant workers, as detailed in a complaint submitted to the International Labour Organisation. As Fifa prepares to decide on Saudi Arabia’s bid, the organization is said to be compiling detailed evaluation reports that include prospective human rights implications. However, with the absence of trade unions and foreign non-governmental organizations in the country, the BWI warns that Fifa must consider independent assessments from reliable sources to truly gauge conditions on the ground. The upcoming confirmation of Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder for the tournament in December raises fears that failure to prioritize human rights will undermine the integrity of global sports, potentially leaving a lasting negative impact on the organization’s reputation.