Human Rights Watch and Fairsquare warn of migrant death in Saudi Arabia
May 15 – Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Fairsquare have warned of increased migrant worker deaths in Saudi Arabia, the host country of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
World Cup 2034
FIFA tells European Parliament to get back in line after their 2034 World Cup bid criticisms
February 3 – In a strongly worded letter, world governing body FIFA has rebuked criticism by Members of the European Parliament over the host award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
FIFA refuses to monitor conditions of migrant workers ahead of Saudi 2034
January 28 – In a new low, FIFA has rejected a request by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa to monitor the conditions of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2034 World Cup.
HRW report warns that kafala labour system is alive and killing in Saudi and Qatar
January 17 – Human Rights Watch has spotlighted “a legacy of widespread migrant labor abuses” in Qatar following the 2022 World Cup and “widespread abuses under the kafala system on PIF-funded projects” in Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup.
ILO accepts 2016 complaint of migrant worker abuse and wage theft in Saudi Arabia
January 17 – A complaint accusing Saudi Arabia of abusing migrant workers has been deemed admissable by the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation amid fears this could increase as the country prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.
Swedish FA appeals chair quits accusing SvFF of ‘spineless’ behaviour over 2034 award
December 20 -A senior Swiss lawyer who for nine years has sat on various Swedish FA committees and is currently chair of its appeals committee, has resigned from the federation over its failure to protest the award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Euro MPs demand FIFA gives ‘binding commitments’ on ‘critical’ Saudi 2034 issues
December 18 – In an open letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, European lawmakers have expressed “grave concern” over the hosting of the 2034 World Cup by Saudi Arabia.
Booze ban unlikely to be lifted for Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup
December 18 – Saudi Arabia has been dry since 1952, and we’re not talking about rain. King Ibn Saud banned alcohol that year, and the chances of football fans being allowed to drink in stadiums during World Cup 2034 are about as strong as Budweiser Zero.
Laced: English FA boss Debbie Hewitt forced to justify support for Saudi Arabia 2034
December 16 – English FA president Debbie Hewitt has defended her organisation’s backing of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup, a decision that FIFA and its membership rubber-stamped last week.
Saudi Arabia will cover up its reality to west in run-up to 2034, claims rights activist
December 13 – Fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” during the tournament and will not see what really goes on behind the scenes, according to a Saudi rights activist living in the UK.
FIFA’s 2034 award makes a mockery of its own rules and marks a dangerous moment, says joint statement
December 12 – In a joint statement, 22 organisations from human rights bodies to trade unions and fan groups, have condemned FIFA’s award of 2034 World Cup hosting to Saudi Arabia saying that it “marks a moment of great danger”.
Fuelling the fire: Environmentalists say FIFA’s Saudi 2034 decision puts greed before the planet
December 12 – Environmental groups and activist player David Wheeler have condemned FIFA for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s leading polluters.
AFC’s Shaikh Salman says Saudi 2034 will leave a lasting legacy for world football
December 12 – AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia on being confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup saying he was confident that the country would leave a lasting legacy, not just in Asia but within the wider football world.
UN human rights chief tells FIFA it must keep human rights top of its World Cup agenda
December 10 – On the eve of FIFA officially naming Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup, the United Nations’ chief human rights official has waded into the controversy.
Swiss FA to back FIFA’s Saudi 2034 motion but calls for independent human rights monitoring
December 10 – On the eve of FIFA’s extraordinary congress, the Swiss FA (SFV) has confirmed they will back the Saudi bid for the 2034 World Cup, but demand human rights must be monitored by both FIFA and the ILO.