The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar marked the first time the tournament took place in the Middle East. However, it was accompanied by ongoing reports of injuries and fatalities among workers involved in the extensive infrastructure development, including stadiums, a subway system, and hotels.
A report commissioned by FIFA has recommended that the organization assume direct responsibility for compensating workers who suffered injuries or for the dependents of workers who died during the construction projects. The exact compensation amount has not been specified, although Amnesty International previously suggested a fund of at least $440 million. FIFA, which holds $4 billion in reserves, has yet to provide financial assistance to affected individuals.
In a statement, FIFA acknowledged the report's recommendations, stating that while not all could be met, practical elements were retained following a comprehensive review. FIFA emphasized that the report did not legally assess their obligation to remedy the situation.
Prepared last year by the human rights advisory firm Human Level, the report has been closely guarded as FIFA considers its implications. FIFA plans to publish the report by the end of the year. The recommendations aim to address accusations of human rights abuses in Qatar, including unsafe working conditions and wage theft.
Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, urged FIFA to compensate workers, warning that a failure to do so would be met with international condemnation. In 2022, Hassan al-Thawadi, the Qatari official leading the World Cup effort, acknowledged that while any death was regrettable, the event has spurred improvements in labor rights within the country.
Following the World Cup's awarding to Qatar, FIFA has integrated a human rights component into its selection process for future events, drawing scrutiny regarding its upcoming decision to grant the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. A vote is scheduled for December 11.
Many workers involved in the tournament's preparation were from impoverished regions, facing issues such as wage theft, injuries, and fatalities due to workplace accidents or harsh conditions. Human rights organizations estimate that the death toll among workers on World Cup-related projects may reach the thousands, while Qatari organizers report a significantly lower official count of 37 deaths linked directly to tournament projects.
Reports indicated that over 2,100 Nepali workers alone died in Qatar in the years leading up to the tournament, with many more suffering injuries or financial hardship in their pursuit of employment.
FIFA previously outlined plans for a mechanism to establish humanitarian relief payments for affected workers and families. However, it remains unclear if any final decision was reached regarding this initiative.
The tournament prompted a nationwide transformation in Qatar, involving a $200 billion investment in infrastructure and generating significant controversy over labor conditions for migrant workers, primarily from South Asia.
The FIFA report also highlighted shared responsibilities among various organizations to address labor abuses and recognized some progress made in improving conditions in Qatar.
This week, FIFA announced a $50 million legacy fund in collaboration with United Nations-affiliated organizations, which has been met with criticism from human rights advocates. Critics argue that the fund focuses on broader social programs rather than directly compensating the families of workers who suffered during the World Cup's preparation.
FIFA characterized the legacy fund as a pragmatic initiative aimed at helping those in need globally, while also noting that Qatar established a separate fund for worker support and insurance in 2018 to address unpaid wages.
Discussions within FIFA have revealed a tension between addressing the report's findings and the potential backlash over compensation demands. Human rights leaders, along with some FIFA officials, have acknowledged that FIFA, as a signatory to the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, bears responsibility to remedy harms linked to its activities.