Emma Smith 
FIFA is being accused of diluting its responsibility concerning worker safety in projects concerning World Cup events. The
The global football organization allegedly crippled the independent inspectors from investigating the labour conditions at the renowned Azteca Stadium in Mexico, which is undergoing renovation for the 2026 World Cup.
Denied Access to Inspect Working Conditions
Officials from the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) trade union were scheduled to inspect the 80,000-seater stadium but were denied access at the very last minute. The BWI has raised serious concerns regarding the transparency of working conditions in Mexico and alleged that FIFA initially agreed to joint site inspections in all three host countries—Mexico, America, and Canada—but it subsequently withdrew before finally signing the agreement.
Scrutiny for FIFA
In FIFA’s human rights policy, the organization says the highest international labour standards must be upheld so that workers engaged in its projects are treated in a just and equitable manner. Ambet Yuson, the general secretary of BWI, denounced FIFA for not keeping its word.
Yuson commented, “FIFA is happy to put on a spectacle but refuses to protect the workers making it possible. They learned nothing from Qatar and Russia. If they don’t act now, the 2026 World Cup will be another example of broken promises and neglected workers.”
The Answer from FIFA
In its defense, FIFA has explained that it does not directly oversee the renovations at the Azteca Stadium; nonetheless, it affirms that worker protections are being supervised with other collocating organizations, such as CATEM and CMIC.
FIFA also insists on safeguarding workers’ rights and that local teams are thoroughly engaged in monitoring labour conditions.
Past Controversies and the Road Ahead
This is not the first time FIFA has been criticized concerning workers’ rights. Concerns of this nature have previously been recognized by a FIFA committee as human rights infringements associated with the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The BWI has previously partnered with FIFA during earlier tournaments on bettering working conditions. Unfortunately, the present lack of transparency compels fresh doubts.
Aztec Stadium is renowned for two World Cup finals, those of 1970 and 1986. In 2026, it will be home to five matches. It has dragged an incredible renovation budget of about $1 billion and will involve the services of around 1,000 workers. FIFA has a lot of pressure on it to deal with these allegations and ensure its ethics regarding labour practices as preparations continue.
