International lawyers recently urged FIFA to thoroughly assess Saudi Arabia’s human rights record before selecting it as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup. Mark Pieth, Stefan Wehrenberg, and Rodney Dixon submitted a 22-page document to FIFA headquarters in Zurich, proposing collaboration on an action plan and independent monitoring of Saudi Arabia.
They emphasized FIFA’s responsibility to ensure host nations comply with international human rights standards, citing concerns about Saudi Arabia’s record on freedom of expression, treatment of prisoners and migrant workers, and restrictive laws affecting women’s freedoms.
Saudi Arabia, the sole candidate for the 2034 World Cup, is undergoing rapid change through the Vision 2030 program. However, FIFA faces pressure to uphold its human rights policy, drafted in 2017 by Harvard University professor John Ruggie. Pieth, a former FIFA advisor, expressed optimism in FIFA’s potential to uphold its standards.
This initiative follows FIFA’s past efforts to embed human rights assessments in the bidding process, prompted by controversies surrounding the 2022 World Cup host, Qatar. FIFA’s bid rules for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments commit to respecting human rights in connection with the bidding and hosting activities. The lawyers stand ready to engage with FIFA to ensure these standards are met.