Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 World Cup, drawing criticism from human rights groups

In a historic decision, Saudi Arabia has been awarded the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held in the Middle East. While the announcement has been met with much excitement within the region, human rights groups have voiced concerns about the country’s record on human rights. Amnesty International has called on FIFA to ensure that the tournament is not used to whitewash the kingdom’s ongoing abuses, including its suppression of dissent and the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people.