Paris: FIFA's evaluation of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup has highlighted a "medium risk" level for human rights, acknowledging that necessary reforms in certain areas may demand "significant time and effort." The report, released ahead of the FIFA Congress vote on December 11, underscores potential concerns as well as opportunities associated with the bid.

Saudi Arabia is the sole contender for the 2034 tournament, while the 2030 World Cup is set to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting matches to commemorate the competition's centenary.

The Saudi proposal received a high technical score of 4.2 out of 5, surpassing the evaluation of the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA praised the bid’s strong infrastructure and commercial potential but highlighted human rights challenges as an area requiring substantial work. These include addressing ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression, the male guardianship system impacting women’s rights, and broader human rights concerns such as mass executions and alleged torture.

While some stadiums are yet to be constructed, FIFA noted the potential for the tournament to act as a catalyst for positive human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia and the region, extending benefits beyond the scope of the event.

The assessment comes amid heightened scrutiny over Saudi Arabia's involvement in hosting global sports events, often criticized as attempts at "sportswashing" to improve its international image despite persistent rights concerns. Similar controversies shadowed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, raising expectations for global dialogue on human rights in the lead-up to the 2034 tournament.