FIFA is under intense criticism from human rights groups and LGBTQ+ football fans following the decision to award Saudi Arabia hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. The Gulf nation, known for its harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws and broader human rights violations, has been deemed an unsuitable choice by many.
A coalition of 21 human rights organisations, in a statement published on Amnesty International’s website, condemned FIFA’s decision, labelling the organisation’s human rights policies as insincere. Critics have also highlighted the lack of competition in the bidding process, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the sole contender after Australia withdrew.
The statement read: “FIFA has long accepted that it has a clear responsibility, in line with international human rights standards, to prevent and mitigate human rights violations and abuses connected to its activities, as well as to provide remedy for those to which it has contributed. By pursuing today’s decision regardless of the known risks, FIFA will bear a heavy responsibility for much of what follows.”
In Saudi Arabia, same-sex relationships can be punished by death, and trans identities are criminalised under laws against ‘crossdressing.’ Beyond LGBTQ+ rights, the nation’s record on women’s rights, freedom of expression, and treatment of migrant workers has also been widely condemned.
This decision has reignited debates similar to those surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where LGBTQ+ people faced significant repression. During that tournament, activist Peter Tatchell was detained for protesting Qatar’s anti-gay laws, and Australian player Josh Cavallo urged FIFA to stop hosting tournaments in nations with poor rights records.
Although the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia showcased unprecedented representation of LGBTQ+ athletes, FIFA’s stance on LGBTQ+ expression remains rigid. Last year, the organisation banned players from wearing rainbow pride armbands, and a Socceroos fan attending a Qatar match was denied entry for possessing a rainbow flag.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promoted the 2034 World Cup as an opportunity for “positive social change and unity,” critics argue that similar claims made about Qatar have failed to result in tangible progress for LGBTQ+ rights.
