It was confirmed after the Australian withdrawal that Saudi Arabia would become the host nation of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This selection of Saudi Arabia was due to its financial power within FIFA and was not surprising. The critics charged Saudi Arabia with the allegation of “sportswashing”. According to opponents the aim of Saudi Arabia to host such a big event is to distract the attention of people from the nation’s human rights violations.
Back in 2022, when the same type of concerns arose during Qatar’s World Cup. Similarly,y some other global events were hosted by Russia and China. Saudi Arabia received the same type of negative reaction due to the ownership of Newcastle United and the LIV Golf Tour. At the same time, sportwashing remains a common issue and its effectiveness is questionable. The nation does not think that hosting such a big event reduces scrutiny, it increases it.
Hosting the World Cup in 2034 puts Saudi Arabia in front of international focus. Many nations will see the country’s actions closely. Leaders and people across the world will focus their attention on the nation, particularly its human rights situation. So, Saudi Arabia needs to remain attentive throughout the tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s effort to become the host nation of the FIFA World Cup was successful. It is a calculated move by the nation to improve its international image. But Saudi Arabia should never forget that such an event will bring intense global scrutiny. Major issues such as human trafficking, human rights violations, and illegal murder cannot be hidden behind this big global event. Qatar’s World Cup is a big example for Saudi Arabia. Qatar’s hosted World Cup highlights that such an important event exposes the human rights issues of the nation.
Despite becoming familiar with these risks, Saudi Arabia accepted to host the FIFA World Cup. Officials think that the World Cup is a tool to grab global attention. The same strategies were used by other host nations such as Qatar, China, and Russia.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia shows Vision 2030, a well-defined plan with the purpose of economic growth and hiding its women’s rights issues. The nation’s human rights issues highlight that its all promises are hollow. It may be possible that such a big event would improve Saudi Arabia’s image temporarily but its human rights record always remains under scrutiny.
Though implementation is yet incomplete, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has brought about important social and economic modifications. The plan’s depth is called into question by its lack of political changes and the continuous suppression of dissent. The lack of political liberties is still a significant problem, despite evident improvements in sectors like entertainment and tourism. The openness of the entertainment industry has been one of the most significant changes. Public entertainment was largely prohibited before 2016. Movie theaters, comedy clubs, concerts, and international events like Comic Con and WWE Wrestling were all introduced by Vision 2030. Additionally, tourism has emerged as a major area of economic expansion.
These adjustments were made to lessen the power of the conservative religious elite in addition to appeasing the general public. This change was represented by the desegregation of public spaces by gender. Notwithstanding these encouraging developments, the accomplishments of Vision 2030 remain clouded by the absence of political reform. The problem of alcohol is one of the main issues Saudi Arabia is facing as it gets ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Saudi Arabia has a strong national prohibition on alcohol, in contrast to Qatar, where it was served in hotels before the 2022 World Cup. It seems impossible to host a significant international event without alcohol, and striking a balance will be difficult.
Any change in alcohol policy is delicate and contentious since Saudi culture is still quite traditional and conservative, even with the diminished influence of Islamic clerics. Moreover, the geopolitical context of Saudi Arabia introduces an additional degree of uncertainty. The country’s leadership has demonstrated unpredictable decision-making, and the region is characterized by persistent instability. Although the country is embarking on a bold modernization journey, its exact course is still unknown. The 2034 Globe Cup might represent change and tell a more complex story to the globe if Saudi Arabia can overcome these logistical and cultural challenges.