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A worker has died on the construction site of the Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia, one of the venues set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Besix Group, a construction company overseeing the project in Al Khobar, confirmed in a statement to CNN Sports<\/a> that \u201ca worker sadly lost their life\u201d at the stadium site on March 12.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been operating on this site for several months in close partnership with our joint venture partner Al Bawani, following detailed and validated safety procedures that have consistently proven effective,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe incident in question is currently under thorough investigation by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating to determine the exact circumstances. In the interest of the investigation, we will not provide further comments at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Besix went on to say that it has \u201ca long tradition of transparency\u201d when it comes to \u201cguarantee(ing) and promot(ing) the rights of migrant workers.\u201d<\/p>\n CNN Sports has contacted Al Bawani, global soccer governing body FIFA and the 2034 World Cup organizing committee for further comment on the worker\u2019s death.<\/p>\n The Aramco Stadium, located in the east of Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The 47,000-seat venue is one of the 15 sites set to host World Cup matches, as well as staging Asian Cup games in 2027.<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup in December, part of the nation\u2019s wider push to invest in sports<\/a> and diversify the economy.<\/p>\n It has meant heavy investment into infrastructure projects, which includes building or renovating the 15 host stadiums and creating 185,000 new hotel rooms.<\/p>\n However, human rights groups have warned of the potentially significant toll attached to Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament.<\/p>\n Many migrant workers still exist in the \u201cKafala\u201d sponsorship system, which ties people to a specific employer. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a June statement that employees are \u201cvulnerable to widespread abuse, including contract substitution, exorbitant recruitment fees, non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports by employers, and forced labor.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a series of reforms announced by Saudi Arabia in recent years, employers \u201cstill hold disproportionate control over workers,\u201d HRW said.<\/p>\n Last year, the head of Saudi Arabia\u2019s 2034 World Cup bid, Hammad Albalawi, said the country had made strides in terms of human rights in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have come a long way and there\u2019s still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid,\u201d Albalawi told Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n CNN\u2019s Ben Church contributed to reporting.<\/p>\n For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n