The 2034 World Cup was officially awarded to Saudi Arabia, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Wednesday following a virtual congress. The decision, however, comes with pushback from groups that criticize Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. A joint statement from 21 organizations — with signatories from international trade unions and global human rights organizations such as Amnesty International — called the move a “moment of great danger” for human rights. “FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk,” the statement read. Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee, told Piers Morgan in 2022 that “between 400 and 500” migrants died but he did not “have the exact number.”The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the upcoming World Cup in 2026.

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Persons: Gianni Infantino, ” Infantino, Infantino, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saud, “, Jamal Kashoggi, Hassan al, Piers Morgan Organizations: FIFA, Saudi Arabia Crown, Associated Press, Saudi, Amnesty, Rights Watch Locations: Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Bandar Al, United States, Saudi, Qatar, Mexico, Canada, Brazil