But FIFA’s decision earned blowback from human rights groups and climate watchdogs, who criticize the wealthy Gulf petromonarchy for its treatment of minority groups and migrant workers, as well as its huge fossil fuel production.
The European Parliament got involved in the Saudi backlash too — joining what is likely to be a 10-year maelstrom of criticism for the governing body and its president, Gianni Infantino.
In a stinging missive late last year, 30 MEPs from across the political spectrum said the decision to make Saudi Arabia the competition host “undermines the principles upon which FIFA was founded,” pointing to gender equality, human rights and environmental concerns.
FIFA wasn’t going to let that stand, however, and in a letter dated Jan. 9 Grafström — a top lieutenant to Infantino — pushed back at the criticism from Brussels.
“All aspects of the bidding process were conducted in accordance with the key principles of objectivity, transparency and integrity, with the main documents and guidelines relating to the process made publicly available online,” Grafström wrote.
On labor rights, Grafström said Saudi Arabia “has committed to ensuring equitable wages and decent working and living conditions for all individuals involved in the preparation and delivery of the FIFA World Cup,” while engaging with the International Labour Organization about working standards and conditions.
