With the world’s attention turning to FIFA’s recent handling of the Qatar World Cup, questions surrounding the treatment and compensation of migrant workers remain at the forefront. Following the 2022 event, widespread reports have emerged focusing on the extensive hardships faced by these workers who were pivotal to the tournament’s successful execution.
On December 2, 2024, Amnesty International’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, Steve Cockburn, sharply criticized FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 men's World Cup. Cockburn described the evaluation as "an astonishing whitewash" of human rights abuses, noting the absence of any concrete commitments aimed at protecting workers or preventing future exploitation. This lack of accountability could lead to widespread human rights violations, he cautioned.
The urgency of human rights reforms, particularly within Saudi Arabia, was underscored by Cockburn, highlighting the risk of the upcoming tournament being overshadowed by issues of discrimination and repression.
Further complicacy surrounds FIFA’s delayed release of the independent report, which addresses labor abuses concerning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite being completed earlier, FIFA only made this report public weeks before announcing the establishment of its Legacy Fund, seemingly brushing aside the recommendations for compensatory measures for migrant workers.
“It is no mystery why FIFA sought to keep this independent report hidden for so long,” Cockburn remarked. The report validated long-held criticisms of FIFA’s negligence toward the needs for rectifying worker abuses, prompting calls for the organization to take serious responsibility.
Reflecting on the broader narrative, last week FIFA launched the $50 million Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund without any mention of migrant workers. Instead, the fund intends to focus on partnerships aimed at broader social development, excluding direct compensatory support for those who suffered the most.
This decision has drawn intense backlash from human rights groups, with FairSquare co-director James Lynch stating, “FIFA has plumbed new depths this week.” He emphasized the lack of promised remedies for the workers whose efforts were fundamental to the World Cup’s logistics.
While FIFA emphasized the creation of the Legacy Fund as an initiative to assist those 'most in need', critics like Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness argue it fails to serve as adequate recompense for the human rights violations endured by migrant workers. “The migrant workers who contributed to the Qatar World Cup need to be justly compensated,” Klaveness insisted.
Echoing this sentiment, the FIFA subcommittee’s own report stated there remain workers who "have not yet benefited from any, or any adequate remediation," illustrating the disconnect between FIFA’s framework and the realities faced by laborers on the ground.
When the 2022 World Cup was hosted, it marked the first time the tournament was held in the Middle East, but the event's legacy has become tainted due to the documented abuses faced by migrant workers, whose labor was deemed integral to the event’s success. Reports leading up to, during, and after the tournament highlighted the dangerous working conditions, exploitation, and suffering endured by those involved.
Despite claims from Qatar's government of reforms benefiting workers, such as the removal of the kafala system, many reports contest these assertions, indicating minimal improvements since these changes were enacted.
Comprehensive labor rights are increasingly questioned within the lens of FIFA’s governance. Various human rights organizations have continuously pressured FIFA to take responsibility and compensate affected workers, particularly as the evidence of abuses becomes starkly clear.
The FIFA subcommittee’s silence raises questions about their commitment to human rights, especially as they pivot toward Saudi Arabia, whose human rights record has similarly faced scrutiny. Worryingly, FIFA's own assessment rated Saudi Arabia’s human rights risks as merely 'medium'—which contradicts reports by Amnesty International and the Sports and Rights Alliance documenting severe violations during recent events.
The complexity of this situation is heightened by the fact FIFA's response to recommendations from its own human rights subcommittee has been less than assertive. A representative stated, “while all reports and recommendations were considered...all recommendations could not be met.” This nonchalant acknowledgment echoes the sentiment among critics who argue FIFA isn’t truly interested in rectifying the wrongs of its past dealings.
To encapsulate the tough reality faced by those who toiled tirelessly to build the infrastructure supporting the World Cup, many remain without sufficient Governmental or FIFA-led support systems to secure adequate compensation for their suffering. The rallying cry for justice among these workers continues as long-term solutions appear to linger on the horizon without substantial progress.
The narrative presents broader questions on the intersection of sports, ethics, and corporate responsibility as FIFA navigates its global image against the backdrop of significant human rights concerns. With upcoming tournaments, advocacy for genuine reform and accountability remains pivotal as past lessons ripple through future aspirations.
This situation is not just about past events; as FIFA advances toward future World Cups, there is renewed hope and urgency for reforms ensuring protection and fair treatment of all workers involved. Without decisive actions leading to accountability and justice, the structural inequalities and injustices affecting migrant workers may recur unchecked.
