The Swedish Football Association’s (SvFF) decision to support Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has sparked considerable controversy, both domestically and internationally. SvFF Chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt defends the decision, emphasizing the association’s focus on ensuring suitable conditions for football, rather than engaging in political judgments about the host nation. Reinfeldt highlights a meeting held in Cannes, France, where representatives from the Nordic football associations, including Sweden, met with Saudi Arabian officials. During this meeting, Sweden raised concerns regarding human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, freedom of movement for supporters, and access for media. Reinfeldt states that the Saudi representatives assured their commitment to addressing these concerns, and that these assurances were reflected in FIFA’s evaluation of the bid, which awarded Saudi Arabia a score of 4.2 out of 5.
Reinfeldt acknowledges the inherent risks and challenges associated with hosting a major sporting event in a country with a human rights record like Saudi Arabia’s. He emphasizes, however, that the SvFF’s role is not to dictate political change or regime shifts, but rather to advocate for the interests of football. He argues that engaging in dialogue and seeking assurances, even from countries with differing values, is preferable to outright boycotts. Reinfeldt further points out that the Swedish government, not the football association, is responsible for managing Sweden’s foreign relations and expressing views on political systems. He maintains that the SvFF must focus on practical matters related to the tournament’s organization and the safety and well-being of participants and fans.
Reinfeldt maintains that the decision to support the Saudi bid was not made in isolation. He emphasizes that the SvFF’s board, representing all levels of Swedish football, unanimously endorsed the decision. He also notes that FIFA’s evaluation of the bid considered various factors, including human rights, which were assessed as ”medium” risk. While acknowledging that this assessment does not guarantee perfect adherence to human rights standards, Reinfeldt argues that it provides a basis for continued engagement and monitoring. He suggests that ongoing dialogue and pressure can lead to positive change, whereas boycotts often isolate and fail to achieve meaningful improvements.
Despite Reinfeldt’s defense, criticism of the SvFF’s stance remains widespread. Critics, including players, fans, human rights organizations, and trade unions, have expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly regarding the treatment of migrant workers involved in extensive construction projects related to the World Cup. Reports of exploitation, unpaid wages, and forced labor have raised serious doubts about the credibility of Saudi Arabia’s promises to uphold human rights standards. Reinfeldt responds to this criticism by emphasizing that the promises made by Saudi Arabia are specifically linked to the 2034 World Cup and that any violations should be addressed through continued scrutiny and pressure. He also raises the point that focusing solely on the regime’s human rights record could lead to inconsistencies, citing the United States’ use of the death penalty as an example.
The case of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup highlights the complex interplay between sports, politics, and human rights. While major sporting events can bring significant economic benefits and international attention, they also raise concerns about the ethical implications of engaging with countries with questionable human rights records. Reinfeldt argues that engagement, coupled with clear expectations and ongoing monitoring, offers a better path toward positive change than isolation and boycotts. However, critics remain skeptical, viewing the decision to support the Saudi bid as a betrayal of human rights principles and a missed opportunity to leverage the power of sports to promote positive social change.
The debate over Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup is likely to continue in the years leading up to the event. The international community, including FIFA, will face increasing pressure to ensure that human rights are upheld throughout the preparation and execution of the tournament. The SvFF’s decision to support the bid, while controversial, reflects a wider dilemma facing international sporting bodies: how to balance the pursuit of sporting excellence with the responsibility to uphold fundamental human rights principles. The coming decade will reveal whether engagement and dialogue, as advocated by Reinfeldt, can truly lead to meaningful improvements in Saudi Arabia’s human rights practices, or whether the 2034 World Cup will become another example of sportswashing, where a major sporting event is used to deflect attention from serious human rights abuses.
