In their excoriating missive, EU lawmakers from across the political spectrum said the decision to make Saudi Arabia the host of the competition “undermines the principles upon which FIFA was founded.”
“We also stand in solidarity with the professional footballers who have raised legitimate questions about FIFA’s partnership with [Saudi oil giant] Aramco,” the lawmakers added. “These decisions raise profound concerns about the alignment of FIFA’s values and its commitment to gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was blighted by accusations that the host country had exploited migrant workers building the infrastructure needed to host the tournament, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
In their letter, MEPs noted that “in the aftermath of the 2022 tournament, FIFA pledged to incorporate human rights criteria into its selection process. However, it appears that these commitments have not been substantiated in practice, and the recent decision calls into question FIFA’s true dedication to human rights.”
Saudi Arabia has undergone an expansive program of societal and infrastructural modernization under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the de facto ruler in Riyadh.
His flagship Vision 2030 project has included vast spending on global sports events, as the Gulf petromonarchy looks to diversify its economy beyond fossil fuels and boost its standing on the international stage.
