Norway’s soccer federation announced plans to abstain from endorsing Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup during a confirmation vote scheduled for Wednesday. The federation criticized FIFA for failing to adequately safeguard human rights in relation to the tournament.
Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian federation, stated in a Tuesday press release, “FIFA’s own guidelines for human rights and due diligence have not been sufficiently integrated into the process, heightening the risk of human rights violations.”
The online meeting of FIFA’s 211 member federations will officially ratify Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup and award the 2030 edition to a joint bid from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, which will see matches played across three continents.
Klaveness emphasized that Wednesday’s vote is merely a formality, as the decisions regarding the World Cups have already been made. She criticized FIFA’s lack of a detailed voting process, stating that it “does not align with the principles of a sound and predictable governance system.” Last year, FIFA structured the bidding process to allow only one bid per tournament, limiting external scrutiny and strengthening ties between FIFA and Saudi Arabia.
Concerns have been raised about Saudi Arabia’s extensive construction plans for World Cup infrastructure, which are expected to rely heavily on migrant labor. Activists worry that this could lead to a repeat of the severe labor issues and fatalities experienced by workers in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup preparations. Norway, along with Klaveness, previously pressured FIFA and Qatar regarding labor rights ahead of that tournament.
FIFA’s internal assessment of the Saudi bid identified “significant opportunities for positive human rights impact,” despite acknowledging elevated risks, a conclusion that many activists have dismissed as a whitewash.
A report commissioned by FIFA from a legal firm closely associated with the Saudi government focused on human rights and pledged that World Cup organizers would collaborate only with state-approved domestic agencies and the UN-backed International Labor Organization (ILO). The ILO is currently investigating a formal complaint regarding labor abuses in Saudi Arabia filed by the global trade union Building and Wood Workers’ International.
While Switzerland’s soccer federation expressed support for FIFA’s decisions regarding the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, it noted “some vagueness on certain points” concerning Saudi Arabia’s strategy to protect rights and freedoms. Swiss federation president Dominique Blanc stated, “We consider it the duty of FIFA and the organizers, in cooperation with renowned independent international organizations beyond the ILO, to closely monitor whether commitments made to workers, teams, fans, and media professionals are upheld.”
Ultimately, the Swiss federation expressed hope that FIFA and World Cup organizers in Saudi Arabia “have learned lessons from Qatar.” However, FIFA has faced criticism for ignoring recommendations to compensate workers in Qatar and their families, as suggested by a panel of rights experts established under pressure from European soccer officials, including Norway. FIFA withheld the panel’s report for nearly a year before releasing it on November 30, just two days after announcing a $50 million legacy fund for the 2022 World Cup, which does not provide direct compensation to workers but funds charity projects linked to UN agencies.
Klaveness concluded, “The lack of predictability and open processes challenges trust in FIFA as the global custodian of football.”
Related topics
- Tottenham Falls to Bournemouth Fans Jeer Postecoglou
- Lazio Eliminates Napoli from Italian Cup 3-1
- Leon to Be Sold Due to FIFA Ownership Rules
