Fifa has released its assessment report for Saudi Arabia’s uncontested bid to host the men’s World Cup in 2034. The report has paved the way for the kingdom to be officially awarded the finals next month. Despite concerns about human rights violations, FIFA has given the bid an average score of 4.2 out of 5, the highest ever. The governing body believes that hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia could act as a catalyst for reforms, despite labeling it as a ‘medium’ human rights risk.
Campaign groups have criticized the bid evaluation, but FIFA has praised the commitment to sustainability and low environmental risk of the Saudi bid. The report acknowledges the challenge of scheduling the event in the kingdom’s hot climate, with temperatures exceeding 40C. While no proposed timing window was specified, FIFA expects the tournament to be held in the winter months, similar to Qatar in 2022.
The 2030 World Cup bid, set to take place on three continents, has also met hosting requirements but may have a significant negative impact on the climate. The tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the World Cup’s centenary.
Both tournament hosts are expected to be officially ratified at a FIFA Congress on 11 December. Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in sports since 2021 as part of its ‘Vision 2030’ strategy to diversify the economy. The country has hosted various major sporting events and acquired several sports entities, including Newcastle United.
Despite criticisms of human rights violations and other issues, the Saudi government insists that its sports investments are beneficial for the economy and society. The Saudi sports minister praised FIFA’s evaluation report, emphasizing the kingdom’s commitment to hosting an exceptional tournament.
FIFA’s evaluation report recognizes the human rights risks associated with the Saudi bid but highlights the efforts and commitments made to address these issues. The report notes areas where legal reforms are needed and emphasizes the importance of enforcement to prevent indecent working conditions. The bid also commits to creating a secure and inclusive tournament environment free from discrimination. También se compromete a revisar y posiblemente enmendar la legislación relevante como parte de los compromisos del gobierno bajo normas internacionales.
Fifa afirma “que hay un buen potencial para que el torneo sirva como catalizador para algunas de las reformas en curso y futuras y contribuya a resultados positivos en materia de derechos humanos para las personas en Arabia Saudita y la región que van más allá del alcance del torneo en sí”. Please rewrite the following text: