The Upcoming World Cup Is Controversial, but We’re Still Going to Enjoy It

Even though it’s only set for next year, the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar has already become an object of controversies and concerns in terms of both the host country’s capability of handling the Cup and the objectivity of FIFA’s bidding process. Multiple human rights groups and media outlets have been criticizing the issues mentioned earlier in Qatar and other problems found in the country.

These allegations of bribery between FIFA executives and the Qatar bid committee had already led to some of the top teams refusing to train in the country. In other words, there is so much controversy around the upcoming World Cup that it makes one think if they should at all support it. 

LGBTQ+ Criminalization

Homosexuality is prohibited by law in Qatar. It is severely punished in the country. Queer people can even be sentenced to death. However, despite homosexuality criminalization, Qatar clearly indicated that LGBTQ+ fans will be welcome to attend World Cup 2022 matches and had already engaged with gay community supporters. World Cup 2022 organizers went all the way to the United Kingdom and met with fan clubs, including gay supporter groups.

This comes as a surprise, as the stance on cultural and religious traditions is still omnipresent here, starting from alcohol consumption all the way up to gambling. For example, although some local casinos within hotels managed to find a loophole to operate, using foreign websites (e.g. Estonian or Latvian casino sites) is a more discrete option. 

Inadequate Working Conditions and Fatal Cases

Perhaps, one of the most problematic matters regarding the 2022 World Cup is how the country treats the workers hired to work on building the infrastructure. According to the International Trade Union Confederation and Human Rights Watch, migrant workers are systematically abused due to the flawed Kafala system. Moreover, there have been registered over 900 deaths on Qatar’s World Cup city’s construction sites, which is more than just alarming. Workers can’t change their jobs or even get out of the country without special permission from their sponsor. Back in 2013, Amnesty International had already been reporting severe exploitation, which included workers being made to sign false statements about receiving wages, so they could get their passports back. 

Bribery Allegations

Back in 2011, Jack Warner, who had been FIFA’s Vice President at the time, wrote in an email message that Qatar could have possibly bought the World Cup 2022 through bribery, particularly by Mohammed bin Hammam, then-president of the Asian Football Confederation.

Then, in March 2014, someone leaked information about Jack Warner and his family received about $2 million from a firm associated with Qatar’s successful campaign. According to mass media, the FBI was investigating Warner and his supposed association with the Qatari tender. Later, various news sources reported that a wide range of documents, including letters, emails, and bank transfers, among other things, were obtained and contained proof about bin Hammam paying over $5 million to football officials, so they would support Qatar’s candidacy in the tender. All of the accused, including bin Hammam himself, denied the allegations. 

So, What Should Football Fans Do Now?

In light of the things described above, even though some of them are genuinely hard-hitting, it’s challenging to say what’s going to happen. However, one thing’s for sure: introducing even minor changes to the World Cup requires FIFA’s action. And if things get terrible, the association could move the World Cup to another place and time. But it’s almost 2022, and no such news seems to surface, so the only thing football fans can do now is support their favourite teams as they play their matches during World Cup 2022, even though it’s shrouded with controversy. So, when the first matches start next November, you can safely sit in front of your huge TV set, join your friends at a pub, or even go to Qatar to enjoy the game and support your favourite teams.