DFB votes in favour of 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup

The DFB announced on Friday afternoon that they will vote in favour of Saudi Arabia being awarded the 2034 World Cup, despite criticism, as well as the 2030 World Cup being shared between Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

A decision was made following a committee meeting at their Frankfurt HQ on Friday morning, before DFB president Bernd Neuendorf released a statement.

“We did not make the decision lightly and carefully examined the application for the 2034 World Cup.

“There was an exchange with many interest groups and experts, including human rights organisations and fans, on the basis of which a well-founded decision was made,” Neuendorf was quoted as saying.

“We take the criticism of the applicant country seriously and will continue to engage in dialogue. Our goal is to work with FIFA to improve the situation in the coming years.”

Human Rights Watch express criticism

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Wednesday that documents, per jurist.org, “extensive human rights abuses by Saudi employers, and apathy by state agencies,” and that the organisation is “particularly concerned about these abuses in light of Saudi Arabia’s bidding for the 2034 World Cup, and the possibility of further abuses of workers used in the building of stadiums and infrastructure for the event.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder