Increasing scrutiny on FIFA as reports highlight significant dangers faced by workers during Saudi Arabia’s World Cup construction surge.

Thousands of migrant workers are at risk of dying in Saudi Arabia due to a construction boom driven by the 2034 World Cup and other major projects, human rights groups have warned. Since 2021, there has been a significant increase in foreign workers as the Gulf kingdom prepares to host the World Cup and advance projects such as the futuristic megacity Neom. In two reports released today, human rights groups criticize the lack of transparency surrounding the deaths of migrant workers and warn that workers face severe risks to their lives. James Lynch, a co-director of FairSquare, states that hundreds of thousands of young men are entering a labor system that poses a serious risk to their lives. While FIFA praises Saudi Arabia, children in countries such as Nepal grow up without their fathers and never even learn how they died. Human Rights Watch accuses FIFA of knowingly risking another tournament that will come at a grave human cost. The Guardian previously reported that a worker from Pakistan fell to his death while constructing a stadium for the World Cup. The HRW report documents a series of workplace-related accidents in Saudi Arabia, including electrocution, decapitation, and falls from height, which leave the families of victims devastated and impoverished. Under Saudi law, when a worker dies in the course of their job, their family members should receive compensation. However, HRW calls the process long and burdensome and records cases where families received little or no compensation. The Saudi authorities claim that there has been a significant reduction in work-related injuries and deaths, but rights groups raise concerns about the way in which authorities investigate and certify migrant worker deaths. Many deaths may be misclassified as “natural” when they are likely linked to working and living conditions. FairSquare states that the term “natural” provides no meaningful explanation for the underlying cause of death. In response to the Guardian’s request for comment, FIFA shared a letter stating that it seeks to ensure strong protections for workers employed by third parties in the construction of World Cup sites. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia was approached for comment.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/may/14/pressure-grows-on-fifa-as-reports-warn-of-serious-risk-to-workers-amid-saudi-world-cup-building-boom