2034 World Cup: Human Rights warns of surge in migrant worker deaths in Saudi Arabia

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised an alarm over a growing number of deaths among migrant construction workers in Saudi Arabia, warning that the toll could rise sharply as preparations accelerate for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

In a report released Wednesday, HRW, alongside labour rights organisation FairSquare, highlighted a disturbing pattern of preventable fatalities on major construction sites.

These include deaths caused by falls from height, crushing injuries from heavy machinery, electrocution, and heat-related illnesses, many of which are reportedly misclassified as “natural causes,” leaving families without compensation or answers.

“The 2034 Saudi World Cup will be the largest and most expensive ever, but it could also have the highest cost in human lives,” said Minky Worden, director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch.

“Millions of migrant workers are building the infrastructure, 11 new stadiums, rail and transit systems, and 185,000 hotel rooms, yet basic safety protections remain dangerously inadequate.”

The reports come just a day after FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Saudi Arabia with former U.S. President Donald Trump for a high-profile investment forum. While FIFA insists it maintains a “steadfast commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights,” HRW accused the global football body of failing to apply lessons from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the deaths of thousands of migrant workers sparked international outrage.

Saudi Arabia, where labour unions are banned and human rights monitoring is restricted, offers limited transparency on worker fatalities. However, HRW documented the cases of 31 deceased migrant workers from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, all of whom died in avoidable construction-related accidents.

With the desert nation ramping up construction under extreme heat conditions, campaigners say the risk to migrant workers is only growing.

They are calling on Saudi authorities to implement urgent safety reforms, guarantee transparency, and provide compensation to the families of those killed or injured.

As the spotlight turns toward the 2034 World Cup, human rights groups are urging FIFA to ensure worker safety and accountability before the cost in human lives becomes irreversible.

Anthony Nlebem

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.