FIFA urged to consider human rights for 2022 World Cup expansion

FIFA must put human rights at the heart of any decision to increase the number of Middle East countries hosting the 2022 World Cup, leading global pressure groups urged Tuesday.

In an open letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the groups say he should state publicly that human rights would be a consideration if the sport's governing body increases the number of teams from 32 to 48.

"Given the possibility that an enlarged 2022 World Cup could potentially require additional countries to host the tournament, we remind FIFA of the commitment it has made to enshrine human rights, transparency and sustainability... in its bidding process," reads the letter.

"As such we call on you (Infantino) to publicly confirm that any assessments of potential co-hosts for 2022 would follow a process that includes these criteria."
However, this is complicated by the fact that the super-wealthy gas-rich state is locked in a diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. With those two countries seemingly out of the picture, it was reported last week that