According to a FIFA evaluation, Saudi Arabia's World Cup hosting bid in 2034 has "good potential" to spark reform

BBC sports editor Dan Roan explains the issues raised as Fifa releases its evaluation report for Saudi Arabia's unopposed bid to host the men's World Cup in 2034.

FIFA has approved the quality of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup in a 110-page evaluation that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.

A report commissioned by FIFA has concluded football’s governing body “has a responsibility” to compensate workers who suffered during the hosting of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The long-awaited report from FIFA’s sub-committee on human rights and social responsibility — finally published on Friday at midnight Central European Time — says the governing body “took a number of steps to seek to meet its responsibility to respect human rights” as part of the delivery of the tournament two years ago.

A FIFA sub-committee report on Qatar's 2022 World Cup legacy said soccer's world governing body has a responsibility to compensate migrant workers but the organisation has not acted on a recommendation to do that by using its legacy fund.

Saudi Arabia is poised to be confirmed as the host of the 2034 men’s World Cup after FIFA approved its human rights record. The country was classified as ‘medium risk’ for human rights in FIFA’s evaluation report, despite warnings that migrant workers could face significant risks, including fatalities, during preparations for the tournament.

Saudi Arabia is set to stage a winter World Cup in 2034 after a FIFA evaluation report highlighted the likelihood of the competition being played "between October-April."

Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid received a higher technical score from FIFA than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico even though the Middle East nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.