You’re all probably aware that The World Cup is being held in Qatar this year. This controversial decision has divided nations since it was agreed 12 years ago.
Not only were there issues surrounding how Qatar gained hosting rights with allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that bribes were paid to secure votes. There also are major implications with the construction of the Stadiums, more than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died.
Qatar is a conservative Muslim country where Homosexuality is illegal. This has worried many LGBTQ+ fans who were wanting to travel however, World Cup organisers have repeatedly said that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome during the tournament but do their actions say otherwise? Khalid Salman, a Qatar World Cup ambassador and former international, told German broadcaster that homosexuality was “damage in the mind”. As well as, Captains being fined by FIFA or issued a yellow card for wearing a OneLove armband to protest the discrimination.
Qatar also has strict rules on alcohol. The country said it would let ticketed fans buy beer at matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match. This is confusing since one of The World Cup’s key sponsors is Budweiser.
Overall, the majority of countries in the competition are unhappy with the running of this tournament, including the fans. However, it could be said that some fans are more provoked at the idea of The World Cup being on in the Winter than the thousands of lives lost.
On a positive note, for the 2026 World Cup human rights were a core element of the host city selection process, with candidates required to “develop detailed human rights plans”.
GEN:Journalism 