Hypocrisy on the Pitch: Why Criticising the 2034 Saudi World Cup Rings Hollow Without Action

Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup isn’t particularly surprising. It has become just another in a long list of international sports events that has been hijacked by the Middle-East’s expanding influence in the sporting world. While FIFA’s decision to hold its staple tournament in Saudi Arabia is certainly questionable, the blame should be equally placed on the people that participate in the competitions while simultaneously criticising it.

This was evidenced by FIFA’s equally divisive decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar two years ago. When it was announced that they would host, global outrage ensued, not only at the blatant corruption of FIFA but also at the choosing of a country whose human rights record was so ignominious. Although critics denounced this choice, ultimately it changed nothing. The world’s media still descended upon Qatar, as did world leaders and bizarrely critics themselves. These were also members of the teams that qualified. Gareth Southgate, then England manager, was vocal about his criticisms of the tournament, as was much of the England team. Yet despite this, they still turned up and participated in the tournament, earning money from endorsements and playing time whilst there. 

A similar case was observed when watching the BBC’s coverage of the event. Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and more were quick to highlight the shocking attitude that Qatar had taken towards the workers who helped to construct the stadiums; with its disregard for human rights. Not only this, but the county’s stance of homosexuality was also condemned. Of course, the pundits were right to denounce the context of the tournament; they were also, albeit subliminally, aggrandising the competition. Whilst there, they were obviously paid for their punditry. You could come to the conclusion that they themselves were profiting off the very atrocities that they had so vehemently protested against. This sort of moral inconsistency may not be so repulsive if it weren’t for the fact that these pundits are paid by tax-paying British citizens. Audiences across the country didn’t tune in to any of England’s group and knockout round games to be lectured by former England players. They tuned in to be entertained and educated about the beautiful game. If more people were to recognise these inconsistencies, it would be interesting to see if people would still tune in to watch these sporting events. Crucially, if these ‘pundits’ were truly convicted about their beliefs, they would have stayed at home and not participated and benefited in the coverage of the cup. 

Many say that this is nothing new. Of course, FIFA held only its second world cup in Italy in 1934 during a time when the country was under the rule of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini who reportedly influenced FIFA’s decisions and allegedly interfered with refereeing to favour Italy. The event was also heavily politicised, with prominent use of fascist symbols throughout the tournament. Just two years later, the Olympics were held in Nazi Germany. I’m sure similar incongruous patterns of behaviour from pundits and participants arose then. 

In the case of Saudi Arabia; it is abhorrent that a country with such a poor record of human rights is holding such a ‘prestigious’ event. What's more embroiling is their lack of footballing excellence. With that said, it is almost definite that the same critics, pundits and players who opposed the World Cup in 2022, will be there in Riyadh in 2034. 

Or maybe by then, the critics would have learnt that the only true way of showing solidarity with those who have been marginalised in Qatar and Saudi Arabia is to simply not attend. The best way to teach these corrupt bodies to do the right thing might be through the age old way: stop giving them your money.