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Saudi Arabia vows to provide safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ fans at 2034 FIFA World Cup

December 19, 2024 • 2 min read

December 18, 2024

By Ayinde Adeleke

In a bid to alleviate concerns over LGBTQ rights, Saudi Arabia has assured that fans from the LGBTQ community will be “safe and welcome” at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which the kingdom is bidding to host.

The Saudi Government’s statement comes as a response to worries raised by human rights groups and LGBTQ advocates, who have expressed concerns over the country’s strict laws and treatment of LGBTQ individuals.

“We want to assure the world that everyone is welcome to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 FIFA World Cup,” said a Saudi Arabian Government spokesperson.

“We will provide a safe and welcoming environment for all fans, regardless of their background, religion, or sexual orientation.”

The spokesperson added, “We understand that there have been concerns raised about our laws and policies, but we want to reassure the world that we are committed to providing a inclusive and respectful environment for all visitors.”

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has been met with skepticism by some, who point to the country’s human rights record and strict laws as reasons for concern.

However, the Saudi Government has maintained that it is committed to reform and progress, and that hosting the World Cup would be an opportunity to showcase the country’s hospitality and welcoming nature.

“We believe that hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup would be a great opportunity for Saudi Arabia to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all people,” said the spokesperson.

“We hope that fans from around the world will join us in Saudi Arabia for a celebration of football, culture, and friendship.”

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most widely viewed and followed sporting events in the world, and the decision to award the hosting rights to Saudi Arabia would be a significant development for the kingdom’s tourism and sports industries.

As the bidding process for the 2034 FIFA World Cup continues, Saudi Arabia’s assurance that LGBTQ fans will be “safe and welcome” is likely to be closely watched by human rights groups and LGBTQ advocates around the world.