LONDON — Soccer supporters heading to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will experience a curated “bubble” that may not represent everyday life in the kingdom, a Saudi human rights advocate cautioned on Thursday.
Following FIFA’s announcement confirming Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 tournament, FIFA president Gianni Infantino remarked that the global audience would be observing the nation closely for signs of positive social transformation.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the safety of migrant workers involved in the construction of stadiums and associated facilities for the World Cup. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s regulations, which impose restrictions on the freedoms of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, have drawn criticism from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Lina al-Hathloul, a prominent Saudi activist with the rights group ALQST based in London, stated that visitors from Western countries would be sheltered in a sanitized version of Saudi society. Her sister, Loujain al-Hathloul, spent three years in prison for her activism against the country’s ban on women driving, a restriction that was lifted in 2018, and now lives under a travel prohibition.
Describing the current state of Saudi Arabia as a “pure police state,” Lina al-Hathloul attributed this environment to the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose close cooperation with Infantino was instrumental in securing the World Cup without any competing bids.
“The crown prince has effectively created this bubble where only entertainment is witnessed, while the harsh realities are concealed,” she stated, adding that abuses, such as torture in prisons and executions, will be hidden from international view. She highlighted that many individuals remain imprisoned merely for expressing their thoughts on social media.
During a 15-month bidding process, which was largely non-transparent under FIFA’s oversight, Saudi officials claimed that the kingdom is undergoing rapid modernization, with the hosting of the World Cup expected to catalyze further social changes.
Hammad Albalawi, a member of the 2034 World Cup bid team, said during a press event that the nation takes pride in its current societal structure, asserting the aim is to foster global citizenship among citizens and warmly welcome visitors from various parts of the world.
Only Norway opposed the decision, made by acclamation during a FIFA meeting with its 211 member federations on Wednesday. Infantino previously criticized European countries for their perceived hypocrisy regarding moral guidance to other cultures, especially during the lead-up to the World Cup in Qatar two years ago.
On Wednesday, the English Football Association indicated it was reassured by Saudi officials before supporting the bid, stating, “They promised us a secure and welcoming environment for all attendees, including those from the LGBTQ+ community.”
Just days before the vote, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed partnership opportunities with Crown Prince Mohammed in Riyadh, highlighting the kingdom’s role in his top priority of driving economic growth. Starmer, an avid Arsenal supporter, expressed his desire to enjoy a match with the crown prince during a future visit to London.
Al-Hathloul acknowledged some progress in granting Saudi women more choices regarding attire but emphasized that these changes are not institutionalized nor universally applied. “They are not fundamental,” she concluded, pointing out that the improvements do not extend equally to all women.
