December 21 – Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al-Misehal has said that ‘Everyone will be welcome’, including LGBTQ+ fans, at the 2034 World Cup, a tournament FIFA is set to formally award to the Arab Kingdom next year.
In a rare media appearance and interview with Sky Sports on the sidelines of the Club World Cup, Al-Misehal, when quizzed about the safety of LGBT+ supporters, said: “We look to host a World Cup where everybody will be welcome. Whenever we travel abroad for any tournaments or for any other purposes, we always make sure that we respect everyone’s values and culture. We expect all the visitors to do the same when they come to Saudi Arabia. As I said, everyone is welcome.”
“When you arrive at customs at the airport in Saudi Arabia, they are only interested in your identification and nationality. It is most important that they come and enjoy a very safe environment, and enjoy the hospitality our culture is rich of.”
Al-Misehal is rolling out the same line that Qatar used ahead of the 2022 World Cup where the issue of LGBT+ rights came into sharp focus when FIFA banned the LGBTQ OneLove Armband that some European teams had wanted to wear during the tournament.
FIFA communicated that captains would receive a yellow card sanction if they wore the armband. During the tournament, supporters had rainbow-coloured items confiscated by stadium security guards. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.
In Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is illegal as well and punishable by death. Other punishments can include imprisonment and floggings.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal similarly insisted that everyone will be welcome despite the criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
Al-Misehal also dismissed critics of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, who argue that the World Cup, the globe’s marquee sporting event, should not be taking place in an oppressive state.
“We have done a lot of reforms. We are very happy and honoured to be going through Vision 2030. In the last few years, more than 100 reforms were done, more than in the past 80 years. Every country has their own issues. We are very happy where we are today. Again, the most important is that everyone will be welcome in a very safe environment with positive vibes,” said Al-Misehal.
Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder to stage the 2034 World Cup. FIFA will certify the Arab Kingdom as host nation next year. Al-Misehal also ruled out co-hosting the tournament with other countries.
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