FIFA has faced criticism from the International Construction and Wood Workers' Union (ICM) due to the lack of guarantees for basic protections for workers involved in the construction of stadiums for the World Cup. Ambet Yuson, general secretary of the ICM, expressed his concern, stating that if FIFA can organize million-dollar deals and luxury experiences, it should be able to guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions for workers.
The ICM highlighted the precarious situation in the construction industry in Mexico, characterized by high accident rates, informal labor, and a low presence of unions. It was emphasized that migrant workers, especially from Central America, are the most vulnerable, with precarious jobs and lack of protection. The lack of democratic union organization makes it difficult to ensure respect for labor rights on construction sites.
In a surprising incident, the ICM accused FIFA of preventing an inspection at the Estadio Azteca, an iconic venue for the 2026 World Cup. Despite requesting to verify the working conditions of workers, the union reported that they were denied entry during the stadium's renovation works. FIFA, despite previous commitments and negotiations, did not allow independent inspections, raising concerns about its responsibilities regarding human rights and preventing labor exploitation in World Cup-related infrastructure projects.
The controversy has led to calls for FIFA to be held accountable and to allow independent oversight of working conditions in the stadiums for the 2026 World Cup. There is a need for an independent voice for workers to guarantee real labor protections. FIFA justified its refusal by arguing that they already have a workers' union and that no accidents have been reported; however, the ICM warns that this could be a way to hide potential violations of labor rights. FIFA's stance on this issue has raised concerns about the working conditions of workers in the construction of World Cup stadiums.
