FIFA praises Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid despite human rights concerns

FIFA has praised Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup in a detailed evaluation, despite noting significant human rights risks. The report highlights the need for Saudi Arabia to invest in meeting international standards for the tournament. The evaluation comes ahead of a decision on December 11, where FIFA will ask its member federations to approve Saudi Arabia's bid, the only one submitted. Concerns remain about labor conditions and the country's human rights record, similar to issues faced during Qatar's 2022 World Cup preparations. FIFA's report mentions potential positive impacts on human rights and the establishment of worker welfare systems. However, it also acknowledges challenges, including scheduling conflicts with other major events and the reliance on air travel between proposed host cities.