Pakistani Migrant Worker Dies During Construction of 2034 World Cup Stadium in Saudi Arabia
A Pakistani migrant worker, Muhammad Arshad, tragically lost his life while working on the construction of a stadium for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by *The Guardian*. Arshad fell from an upper level during the construction of the Aramco Stadium in Al-Khobar earlier this month, marking the first-known death of a migrant worker linked to the tournament’s preparations.
The incident occurred just three months after Saudi Arabia was announced as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup. Arshad’s death was confirmed by Besix Group, a Belgian construction multinational whose subsidiary, Six Construct, is one of the primary contractors for the stadium.
In a statement, Besix Group explained that Arshad was part of a three-member team engaged in formwork operations at height when the platform they were working on tilted. While all three workers were equipped with personal fall-arrest systems, Arshad was not connected to an anchor point at the time of the accident, resulting in his fall and severe injuries. Emergency services were immediately called, but Arshad succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
It remains unclear how long Arshad had been working at the stadium, where he was employed as a foreman. Besix Group urged workers not to share images of the incident on social media out of respect for the victim’s family. The company also stated that authorities are conducting a full inquiry, and they are cooperating to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
Arshad’s body was repatriated to Pakistan earlier this week, and he was laid to rest near his home in the country’s northwest. In his mid-30s, Arshad leaves behind three sons, aged between two and seven. His father, Muhammad Bashir, expressed deep concern for the family’s future, stating, “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. We will try to meet their needs.”
Bashir added that he had not yet been directly contacted by his son’s employer but was assured by a relative in Saudi Arabia that the family would receive Arshad’s outstanding salary and benefits. Under Saudi labor law, employers are required to provide compensation in the event of a workplace death. Besix Group confirmed that it had taken steps to support the family and ensure all payments were “handled in a timely and respectful manner.”
The Aramco Stadium, a 47,000-seater venue, is being developed by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Aramco, which recently became FIFA’s most lucrative sponsor. Construction is reportedly at an advanced stage, with thousands of migrant workers, many from Bangladesh and Pakistan, working in two shifts at the site.
Arshad’s death has drawn attention to the working conditions of migrant laborers in Saudi Arabia, particularly as the country prepares to host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. The incident underscores the need for stringent safety measures and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.
