Work has already begun on building 11 stadiums across Saudi Arabia for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which the country won the rights to host in December 2023.
The project is a massive undertaking as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the world’s largest football event.
However, this ambitious construction has been marred by a tragic incident earlier this month.
Migrant Worker Dies in Fall While Building Stadium
On March 12, 2025, Muhammad Arshad, a migrant worker from Pakistan, tragically fell to his death while working on the construction of the Aramco Stadium, one of the key venues for the World Cup.
Arshad, 31, was reportedly the first migrant worker to die in the ongoing construction of World Cup stadiums in Saudi Arabia.
The Details of the Tragic Accident
According to reports from Besix Group, the main contractor involved at the stadium, Arshad was working on a team of three laborers engaged in formwork operations.
These tasks involve creating molds for concrete at elevated heights.
Unfortunately, the platform they were working on tilted, and while the workers were equipped with fall-arrest systems, Arshad was not properly secured to an anchor point at the time. This oversight led to his fatal fall.
Despite immediate efforts to save him, Arshad succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital.
His colleagues were instructed not to share any images or videos of the tragic incident out of respect for his family.
Authorities are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Arshad’s Legacy and Family’s Heartbreak
Arshad, who had been working at the Aramco Stadium since September 2024, leaves behind a wife and three young children, aged between two and seven.
His death has left his family devastated, with his father, Muhammad Bashir, describing the family’s shock and the deep emotional toll the loss has taken.
Arshad was the primary breadwinner for his family, and his passing has left them uncertain about their future.
“We have just fallen from the sky to the ground. The whole family is in a state of shock,” Bashir told The Guardian.
“It will have a long-lasting impact on their lives. Arshad’s income was their only source of living.
We will have to bear their living and educational expenses.”
Human Rights Concerns Surrounding FIFA’s Decision
The death of Arshad has once again brought attention to the concerns raised by human rights organizations over the safety and treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
In response to FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup, groups like Amnesty International warned that migrant workers would face exploitation, and many could lose their lives in the process.
While FIFA has remained silent on the matter, the international community continues to scrutinize the situation as construction for the tournament continues.
As the world prepares for the 2034 World Cup, the question remains: how will the host nation address the safety and well-being of the workers responsible for building its legacy?