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FIFA Bends Own Rules to Give Saudi Arabia Coveted 2034 World Cup

The article from The New York Times, published on December 10, 2024, discusses Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and the associated human rights concerns. It highlights the international scrutiny over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, including issues like freedom of expression, women's rights, and the treatment of migrant workers. Critics argue that hosting such a high-profile event could be used for sportswashing, where the country attempts to improve its global image despite ongoing human rights abuses. The article mentions that FIFA has set human rights criteria for host countries, but there are doubts about how rigorously these will be enforced. Additionally, it notes the potential economic benefits for Saudi Arabia, including infrastructure development and increased tourism, juxtaposed against the backdrop of calls from human rights organizations for FIFA to ensure that hosting rights are contingent on significant human rights reforms.

Read the Full The New York Times Article at:
[ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/world/middleeast/saudi-world-cup-human-rights.html ]