The announcement of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has sparked a huge debate. As the kingdom undergoes a rapid financial and infrastructural transformation, supported by its bold Vision 2030 agenda, the potential for civil unrest and political protests poses a significant danger. To arrange a prestigious event like FIFA requires not only the most impressive stadiums and facilities with worldwide grandeur but in addition a solid and stable environment. In the case of Saudi Arabia, several elements suggest that the risk of civil unrest could pose serious challenges to the achievement and security of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Political Climate and Governance
Saudi Arabia operates under a strict authoritarian regime, with power concentrated in the hands of its own royal family, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Political dissent is not tolerated and public protests are illegal under Saudi law. While this may appear to be a deterrent to civil unrest, it also creates an environment where tensions can build under the floor.
The royal family, with a core group of around 2,000 members, holds substantial influence over the country’s affairs, while the extended family includes approximately 15,000 members. The lack of freedom of speech and assembly similarly increases the ability of these actions to turn violent if the government responds with force, as has been seen in the past.
Violation of Human Rights
One of Saudi Arabia’s biggest problems is its human rights record, which is constantly criticized with the help of global companies. Freedom House ranks Saudi Arabia as one of the least relaxed international locations within the international community, citing intense restrictions on civil liberties, girls’ rights, and political freedoms.
Saudi Arabia scores 1 out of 40 on political rights, reflecting significant political participation and representation limitations. The country does not conduct national elections, and the monarchy openly rejects democratic governance. Hosting the World Cup in a country with this kind of controversial human rights record should serve as a spark for civil unrest.
Economic Differences
Despite the authorities’ efforts to modernize the United States through Vision 2030, which includes diversifying the financial system and reducing dependence on oil, significant economic inequalities persist in Saudi society. The wealth gap between the ruling elites and the general population, specifically the disadvantaged classes and foreign workers, is considerable. While the royal family and various elites remain in considerable wealth, many Saudis and expatriates find themselves conflicted by low wages and negative working conditions.
Economic frustration, especially among younger Saudis, should fuel unrest, especially in the context of a high-profile event like the World Cup. The Kingdom’s massive spending on stadiums, infrastructure, and opportunity management would perhaps further fuel tensions if ordinary citizens recognized that the money could be better spent improving their livelihoods.
Regional Geopolitical Tensions
Saudi Arabia is in a geopolitically unstable place and is involved in many regional conflicts and rivalries, most drastically with Iran. The kingdom’s involvement in the battle in Yemen, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, has drawn global condemnation. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of a coalition in Yemen, working to reinstate the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, which was displaced by Houthi rebels.
Hosting the event is huge globally as the FIFA World Cup should undoubtedly expose our internal and external political protests. Activists or competing corporations from neighboring countries, especially those affected by Saudi Arabia’s overseas directives, could also try to disrupt the match.
Limitation of Personal Freedoms
Saudi Arabia’s restrictive legal guidelines on private liberties, specifically those related to women and the LGBTQ network, represent a stark assessment of the inclusive and diverse values promoted by FIFA and the global football community. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has added reforms aimed at strengthening women’s rights and allowing girls to exert pressure and attend social events, but these reforms have been limited and tightly controlled.
The LGBTQ community faces even harsher situations. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and can be punished by imprisonment or possibly death. These draconian legal guidelines could lead to protests and civil unrest throughout the World Cup, particularly from international visitors or LGBTQ rights businesses. The conflict between Saudi Arabia’s conservative social policies and the expectations of international enthusiasts should create an irritating environment leading to demonstrations or clashes with the authorities.
Religious Tension
Saudi Arabia, being the birthplace of Islam, has a deeply conservative non-secular tradition governed by Sharia law. While the authorities try to promote a more moderate interpretation of Islam, spiritual conservatism remains the dominant pressure in society. This can be a double-edged sword when a site hosts an international event like the FIFA World Cup, which attracts fanatics from various cultural and non-secular backgrounds.
Religious tensions could increase if global visitors to the site, especially those from non-Muslim backgrounds, inadvertently or intentionally violate nearby customs or non-secular practices. Approximately 90% of citizens are Sunni Muslims, while around 10% identify as Shi’a Muslims. Such incidents could result in protests by conservative factions within Saudi society, similarly increasing the risk of civil unrest. In addition, the presence of alcohol, which is generally consumed in massive quantities on World Cup occasions, should lead to friction with the conservative Muslim population, who view consumption as a violation of Islamic law.
Conclusion
While Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup comes at a time when the country is trying to modernize and speak intimately to the arena, the ability to spark civil unrest poses a huge risk. Political protests, human rights concerns, monetary disparities, neighborhood tensions, and restrictive social policies contribute to an environment that could threaten the preservation and protection of the event. FIFA, as the governing framework of global football, should carefully consider these dangers before awarding Saudi Arabia the honor of hosting the World Cup, as the capacity for civil unrest should overshadow the occasion and tarnish its legacy.
