Following today’s confirmation of Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 World Cup at FIFA’s Extraordinary Congress, 21 organizations have published a joint statement condemning the move as a “moment of great danger” for human rights.

Signatories include Saudi diaspora human rights organizations, migrant workers’ groups from Nepal and Kenya, international trade unions, fans’ representatives and global human rights organizations.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, said:

“FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk. Based on clear evidence to date, FIFA knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless. The organization risks bearing a heavy responsibility for many of the human rights abuses that will follow…

On 11 November, Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) called on FIFA to halt the vote to award the 2034 World Cup, following a detailed analysis of the human rights risks in the country and major gaps in the human rights strategy proposed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation…