Saudi Arabia officially announced as the 2034 World Cup host. Human rights groups warn of 'unimaginable human cost'

Source: CNN

Global soccer governing body FIFA has officially announced the hosts for the next two men’s World Cups. However, the outcome was no surprise.

That’s because there was only one bid each for both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments – Spain, Portugal and Morocco have been named joint hosts of the World Cup in six years’ time, whereas Saudi Arabia has been awarded the 2034 edition.

While both bids have come under scrutiny during the bidding process, it’s the latter which has caused the most controversy.

Michael Page, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), recently warned of an “unimaginable human cost” to hosting arguably the world’s biggest sporting event in Saudi Arabia.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/11/sport/saudi-arabia-2034-world-cup-fifa-bid-spt-intl/index.html?Date=20241211&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1733932832&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawHGrB1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUc8CMUHK72KzaXTY7UL2r5ZqSSGc0l9W1O4tgHqd7lPNsyeRhhTZfZZ4Q_aem_F7aujQCMBUNqvzsTe_zUJw