FIFA World Cup bid evaluation report has, remarkably, awarded Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup the joint highest bidding score ever. Human rights groups, however, have slammed FIFA for “whitewashing” the country’s human rights record and called out glossing over environmental concerns.

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

Ahead of giving Saudi Arabia the men’s 2034 World Cup to host, FIFA approved the quality of its bid in a 110-page evaluation Saturday that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.

BBC s 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.

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'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.

The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, described the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup as receiving the highest rating in the history of the global event.

Ahead of giving Saudi Arabia the men’s 2034 World Cup to host, FIFA approved the quality of its bid in a 110-page evaluation Saturday that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has made history, securing the highest-ever bidding score of 419.8 out of 500 in its quest to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to FIFA.Read More: The Saudi Cup 2024: World’s Riches