FIFA World Cup 2030 & 2034 Host Controversy: Amnesty International’s Human Rights Report Highlights Serious Concerns

The FIFA World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world, and it has huge social, political and economic impacts that extend beyond the confines of the green rectangle. But the world championship has always been surrounded by controversy and scandals related to human rights, according to New report For Amnesty International.

In December 2024, FIFA’s 211 member associations will vote to select the host countries for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

Morocco, Portugal and Spain are competing to host the 2030 edition, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is trying to host the next edition in 2034.

Offers must meet strict criteria that ensure the protection of workers’ rights, the fight against discrimination, the right to housing, the protection of freedom of expression, and other basic humanitarian principles.

In his report, he issued Amnesty International Evaluation of human rights plans submitted by competing countries, comparing them to FIFA requirements and a comprehensive risk assessment prepared by the organization in June 2024.

The report indicated that the bids submitted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain did not sufficiently demonstrate how they met the human rights standards set by FIFA.

The report finds that while the need for a more credible human rights strategy for the 2030 edition is clear, the risks associated with hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia are considered so much so that the organization asked FIFA to suspend the voting process to host the 2034. World Cup until fundamental reforms are implemented in the Kingdom.

Choosing which countries will host the FIFA World Cup is one of the most important decisions made by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Hundreds of thousands of workers take part in organizing each edition of the tournament, and more than a million fans travel across borders to attend the games, and billions others follow the event on television or on the Internet.

Large sums of money are also being spent on major infrastructure projects. Host countries gain a good reputation and global visibility, while FIFA’s income reaches large numbers, with income from the 2026 World Cup expected to exceed $11 billion, a according to “Amnesty“.