In a recent development, a coalition of international legal experts has submitted a formal grievance to FIFA, accusing the organization of neglecting its human rights responsibilities in the selection of Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup. This action was taken through FIFA’s own grievance reporting system and spearheaded by Mark Pieth, the former anti-corruption adviser to FIFA, along with Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and British barrister Rodney Dixon.
The trio sought to guide FIFA on adhering to human rights standards prior to Saudi Arabia being awarded the hosting rights last December, but their offers were reportedly disregarded. The lawyers submitted a comprehensive 30-page document, expressing that “widespread human rights abuses persist in Saudi Arabia, with no intervention from FIFA in the lead-up to the World Cup.” They further assert, “It seems business continues as usual with no notable changes forthcoming.” This complaint emerges just as FIFA readies for its initial annual congress of 211 member federations following Saudi Arabia’s successful bid, set to commence as an online meeting.
Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set for a notable, last-minute attendance at the congress in Paraguay, having accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, a nation abundant in oil resources, has claimed ongoing advancements in personal freedoms as part of its Vision 2030 plan aimed at modernizing its society and economy. Infantino has strategically tightened FIFA’s financial and political ties with the kingdom’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, tracing back to the prelude of the 2018 World Cup.
Infantino and Trump have also conducted meetings in Qatar, the host nation for the 2022 World Cup, which has previously faced a decade-long scrutiny regarding its human rights stance and treatment of migrant workers engaged in constructing World Cup facilities. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a substantial infrastructure initiative for the 2034 tournament, which will feature more teams, additional games, and hence, a greater demand for opulent stadiums compared to Qatar’s eight venues.
The lawyers’ submission articulates that “Saudi Arabia has been nominated as the forthcoming host country notwithstanding its egregious human rights record, encompassing violations related to freedom of expression, arbitrary detention, mistreatment, and the rights of migrants and women.” FIFA’s human rights policy, introduced in 2017, necessitates that bidders for the 2026 men’s World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—uphold international human rights and labor standards per United Nations guidelines.
A recent correspondence to Human Rights Watch—an organization that has brought attention to alleged mistreatment of migrant laborers in Saudi Arabia—illustrates FIFA’s “unwavering commitment to upholding and advancing human rights in all areas of its operations.” The legal experts’ complaint implores FIFA to recognize that “there remains an opportunity for significant reform in Saudi Arabia, compelled by FIFA fulfilling its policy commitments.”