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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid gathers pace – but at what cost to human life?

An artist’s impression of the proposed stadium in Neom, a city yet to be built, for the Saudi Arabia World Cup in 2034
An artist’s impression of the proposed stadium in Neom, a city yet to be built, for the Saudi Arabia World Cup in 2034. Photograph: Saudi Arabia 2034

On 13 December, two years will have passed since John Njau Kibue died. The circumstances have not been made public but what we know beyond doubt is this: the 24‑year‑old security guard fell from the uppermost concourse at Lusail Stadium three days previously, about two hours after the World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands had finished.

On went the show. Hours after Kibue died Argentina were back at Lusail to face Croatia, thousands of supporters unwittingly walking close to the spot where Kibue landed. Five days after that, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé treated the same venue to the greatest final. Few of those basking in the post-match fireworks or goggling at Salt Bae’s effrontery would have brought Kibue to mind.

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