• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Rights Groups Sound Alarm on Saudi Worker Deaths Ahead of World Cup

Two reports detail “gruesome yet avoidable” workplace deaths and warn of more coming from World Cup construction.

Gianni Infantino
Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Two human rights groups are raising alarm bells over migrant worker deaths in Saudi Arabia ahead of the country’s 2034 World Cup.

Human Rights Watch and Fairsquare each released a report Wednesday criticizing the kingdom for “gruesome yet avoidable” workplace deaths and lack of consistent protocol following the incidents. Many of the migrants who died came to Saudi Arabia from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

FIFA faced backlash from human rights groups ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for similar reasons. An unknown number of migrant workers died constructing the stadiums for the tournament, many from extreme heat during summertime months.

“FIFA, which claims to be an impetus for positive labor reforms in World Cup host countries, should learn from the human rights disasters of past tournaments and urgently demand effective prevention, investigation, and compensation mechanisms for migrant worker deaths and injuries,” Michael Page, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East director, said in a statement.

For the 2022 tournament in Qatar, workers built seven stadiums from scratch. For 2034, the Saudis have promised at least eight new stadiums and three under construction, according to the official website. The country is also ramping up its construction efforts with other “giga-projects” like NEOM, a planned futuristic city running only on renewable energy sources.

According to Human Rights Watch, workers have died in Saudi Arabia from decapitation, electrocution, and falling from buildings, among other injuries. The families of these workers said they have struggled to receive compensation following the deaths or information about how they happened, while some employers have pressured them to bury family members in Saudi Arabia.

The Fairsquare report details failures by the Saudi government to handle these deaths, including by labeling many of them as “natural deaths” without prompting further investigation. “It is clear that many future deaths could be prevented if proper investigations were initiated, and if effective public health measures were put in place to respond to their findings,” the Fairsquare report reads.

FIFA did not comment when reached.

FIFA said in a letter to Human Rights Watch in April that it planned to set up a “workers’ welfare system including dedicated mandatory standards and enforcement mechanisms” that would cover anyone involved in building World Cup stadiums in Saudi Arabia. The soccer governing body said the work to implement this strategy has already begun, but did not give a timeline for when it would be in place.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They visited Qatar Wednesday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 23, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Petco Park.

Trevor Bauer Gets Legal Win Over Accuser for Violating Settlement Terms

Judge orders woman who brought sexual assault allegations to pay over $300,000.
Soccer

Chicago Stars Aren’t Asking for Taxpayer Stadium Money—Yet

A unique new law will compel Illinois lawmakers to consider women’s teams.
Thibs
breaking

Knicks Fire Tom Thibodeau in Stunner After Deep Playoff Run

Thibodeau led the Knicks to four playoff appearances in five seasons.

Featured Today

Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
May 31, 2025

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”

While Bears and White Sox Stall, Chicago Fire Make Stadium Move

The proposed $650 million stadium will be privately financed.
Dec 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of Soldier Field before a game between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks
May 30, 2025

Pritzker Was a Hard ‘No’ on Bears Stadium. Now Maybe Not

The state spent $100,000 on a legal consultant.
June 2, 2025

Bears Suburban Stadium Deal Inching Forward Despite Cost Questions

State legislators discussed a Bears-friendly bill, but ran out of time.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 30, 2025

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals 1985 and 2015 World Series championships on the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.
May 28, 2025

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Public Funding Standoff Nears Endgame

Missouri legislators will review stadium bonds for the Chiefs and Royals.
U.S. Women's Golf
May 27, 2025

U.S Women’s Open Will Play on Courses Once Reserved for Men

Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin is hosting this week’s tournament.
Gillette
May 21, 2025

Boston NWSL Team to Play at Gillette After Legal Fight Delayed Own..

The team beat a lawsuit from locals against their stadium in April.