FIFA’s Governance Crisis: 5 Systemic Reforms You Need to See Before the 2034 World Cup

Zurich, Switzerland, MMN Correspondent: Football is facing a moment of truth. FIFA is in the middle of a governance crisis, and human rights organizations are raising a pointed question: can a new face at the top truly change the game? Their answer is a firm no. The call is for systemic transformation, an overhaul of structures, accountability mechanisms, and human rights protections, so that the sport does not watch history repeat itself.

The current turmoil brings back memories of 2015, when U.S. federal prosecutors indicted dozens of football officials on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. Sepp Blatter was re-elected president days later, then stepped down as pressure mounted. During the 2016 election that followed, the Sport & Rights Alliance urged candidates to commit to six clear steps to mitigate rights abuses. Gianni Infantino, the man who succeeded Blatter, made a public promise: "FIFA is fully committed to respecting human rights." Nearly ten years later, critics are asking what has actually changed.

The answer, according to the Sport & Rights Alliance, lies in the system. A spokesperson said, "The landscape for human rights, transparency, and good governance will not improve if FIFA's structures are not addressed." One example stands out: FIFA's independent Human Rights Advisory Board was created in 2017 after the organization amended its statutes. It produced five important reports. Then it was sidelined. FIFA has yet to develop a comprehensive human rights strategy that embeds rights into decision-making at the political and governance level.

The urgency is impossible to ignore. The failures of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar remain unresolved. Thousands of migrant workers suffered wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and in some cases death. FIFA has not compensated their families. With the 2030 and 2034 Men's World Cups awarded to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, the risks are even greater. Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance have documented serious human rights concerns in both host regions. Saudi Arabia draws particular unease due to restrictions on labor rights, freedom of expression, and LGBTI+ rights. The lack of competitive bidding processes, with sole bidders for both tournaments, has only deepened the concern.

Transparency International has issued a blunt call. "FIFA needs systemic reform grounded in a clear roadmap for the organization's work on human rights and good governance. This should include a full review and re-structure of the FIFA Ethics Committee and a time-bound human rights strategy with clear objectives." The call for an independent ethics system goes back years. In 2015, the FIFA Ethics Committee faced criticism for lacking independence and transparency. Today, the Sport & Rights Alliance is asking for transparent appointments of experts with human rights backgrounds and trauma-informed procedures for handling complaints.

FIFA's interaction with the media has also raised eyebrows. At his press conference for the opening of the 2026 World Cup, his first since 2023, Infantino faced questions about visa denials. He told reporters to "shut up." The backlash was immediate. Reporters Without Borders stressed, "Press freedom is a cornerstone of human rights and good governance. As custodians of the beautiful game, FIFA should commit itself to transparency and independent oversight, conducting regular press conferences and welcoming accountability."

The Sport & Rights Alliance has laid out five concrete steps. FIFA should re-establish a permanent, independent Human Rights Advisory Board. It should comprehensively reform the FIFA Ethics Committee. It should adopt a dedicated and time-bound Human Rights Strategy. It should re-evaluate all future host agreements to ensure binding human rights commitments and set up a Remedy Fund for victims of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. And it should reinstate regular, robust, and transparent avenues for public accountability, including regular press conferences.

These demands carry real weight. They are about the lives of workers, athletes, fans, and communities around the world. Football fans have shown they can mobilize when it matters, as seen in the backlash against the European Super League and the calls for justice for migrant workers in Qatar. The next step is for FIFA's member associations to advocate for internal reforms with the same passion.

A regional director for Amnesty International put it simply: "Genuine change at FIFA will be measured by whether or not workers in Qatar finally receive compensation, meaningful human rights safeguards are introduced for future World Cups, and independent oversight systems are given real teeth." The stakes are high. Football is the world's most popular sport, with the power to inspire and unite. The opportunity is clear: with the right systemic changes, FIFA can turn this crisis into a turning point. Without them, the cycle is likely to repeat. The time for half-measures is over. FIFA must embrace transparency, accountability, and human rights at its core. Only then can it truly be the guardian of the beautiful game.