ZURICH FIFA is under increasing legal pressure following a detailed 30-page complaint accusing the global football body of violating its own human rights policies by awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The complaint, filed by a coalition of prominent legal experts and human rights advocates, alleges serious concerns including restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests, the use of the death penalty, lack of judicial independence, exploitation of migrant workers, and violations of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
While FIFA maintains that it is actively working with Saudi authorities to improve labor protections and safeguard the rights of those involved in World Cup preparations, critics remain highly skeptical of these assurances given the country’s documented human rights record.
“FIFA’s decision to host the World Cup in Saudi Arabia raises profound ethical and legal questions,” said human rights lawyer Dr. Anika Sharma. “The governing body must uphold its commitments or risk losing credibility on the global stage.”
The legal challenge demands that FIFA reconsider the hosting rights or enforce stringent human rights safeguards as a precondition for the event.
This controversy adds to a growing list of criticisms against FIFA’s World Cup selections, with previous events also facing scrutiny over labor rights and political issues.
