Human rights organisations and other NGOs, media, and unions have raised social and environmental concerns caused by the impacts of massive infrastructure projects carried out in preparation for major sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Many of these allegations involve human rights abuses committed by or with the complicity of private companies, and affecting some of the most vulnerable groups like migrant workers. The human rights issues associated with major sporting events are not limited to venue and infrastructure development, but also include issues of labour in the supply chains for sporting goods, apparel, and merchandise.

But major sporting events also provide opportunities to push for change. This page features some of the main developments and collects the latest news and coverage on human rights issues related to major recent or future sporting events, such as the Qatar World Cup 2022. It also highlights the role and responsibilities of companies and organisations.