A devastating event has emerged: Muhammad Arshad, a Pakistani worker, died while working on the construction of a stadium for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred at a stadium under construction for Aramco in Khobar, where Arshad fell from an upper floor during a concrete-pouring task. The situation was deemed perilous and inhumane, leading to significant human rights criticism aimed at the Kingdom.
Arshad worked with a team for the multinational Belgian construction firm Besix Group. Although he wore personal protective equipment, he was not secured to an anchor point, resulting in his fall. Reports indicate that emergency teams arrived quickly, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. This is the first recorded fatality associated with Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup initiatives.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup faced strong opposition from human rights organisations, who cautioned about the dangers migrant workers could encounter on construction sites for the event, with Amnesty International saying,
“Migrant workers will face exploitation and many will die.”
Human rights organisations have cautioned about the potentially major costs linked to Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament. Numerous migrant workers continue to be bound by the “Kafala” sponsorship system, which links them to individual employers. In a statement released in June, Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted that these employees are “vulnerable to widespread abuse, including contract substitution, exorbitant recruitment fees, non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports by employers, and forced labor.”
Concerns Cast a Shadow: Abuse Claims Undermine Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Goals
The stadium being constructed for Aramco is one of 11 large sports venues currently underway in anticipation of the tournament. It is projected to accommodate approximately 47,000 fans and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative to host the World Cup.
Yet again, Saudi authorities face scrutiny due to the working conditions labeled as “horrific” by former laborers. Workers have shared experiences of long hours, overcrowded living spaces, and extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 45°C (113°F).
A review conducted last year found that certain migrant workers at the stadium faced extremely abusive working conditions. They claimed they were burdened with overwhelming debts due to illegal fees required to reach Saudi Arabia. Residing in harsh, cramped conditions, they worked 10-hour days in sweltering 45 °C summer temperatures for meager wages, which some reported were withheld for several months.
Additionally, employees reportedly received orders to erase any footage connected to the incident and refrain from discussing it with others, which has heightened concerns about a possible cover-up. Human rights organizations swiftly denounced the so-called “systematic exploitation of migrant workers,” emphasizing that the Kingdom’s labor rights record is still troubling.
This event occurs as Saudi Arabia is under increasing scrutiny regarding its ethical and logistical preparedness for hosting such a sporting event scale. As transparency dwindles and human rights issues escalate, there is increasing international pressure to hold accountable those responsible and to safeguard the workers engaged in World Cup projects.
Does this incident signal the start of broader disclosures regarding the abuses hidden in the so-called “Oil World Cup”? Or will it be ignored like previous violations in other tournaments?