Qatar is the destination for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in just 7 days. The whole world’s attention will be on Qatar. But is Qatar a football nation? This was the question on the minds of people and the whole football fraternity right after Qatar was announced as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Qatar’s position on the world football ranking was 113 when they won the hosting rights with no record of winning a continental tournament.
Controversially, Qatar has never qualified for the world cup since its inception. Qatar has also been associated with tons of controversies regarding its ideological perspectives on religion, human rights, and lifestyle.
Qatar has a huge country reputational risk when it comes it issues of human rights. As soon as Qatar was announced as the destination for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, one of the most discussed issues of the Qatar World Cup was the treatment of workers hired to build the infrastructure.
The Human Rights Watch has reported that migrant workers who were recruited to construct the stadiums and facilities needed for the World Cup were subjected to vulnerable systematic abuse. The movement of workers was restricted because they were denied the chance to change jobs without authorized permission from corresponding actors.
International media reports also indicate that migrant workers were forced to stay in their jobs, even against their will by denying them their due salaries and holding back their working ID permits, which automatically renders them illegal migrant workers if they do not bow to the manipulations they faced.
Workers were also forced to sign false statements that they have been fully paid as a manipulative way of either keeping their passports or releasing them to them.
It is tempting to conclude that, the government of Qatar and its labor laws fail to demonstrate any significant commitment towards their labor force, especially migrants who work in Qatar.
The welfare of worker’s largely ignored for unknown reasons. Is it fair to say Qatar is insensitive to migrants? Can football fans, tourists and national teams across the world travelling to Qatar enjoy full human rights protection and freedom? The next 30 days of the world cup will answer these lingering questions!
Maybe giving Qatar the hosting rights of the 2022 FIFA World Cup would change the narrative and be the catalyst for positive change. Qatar can create a new brand for its country’s reputation by showing more humanity towards migrants during this World Cup and afterward.
Can Alcohol Be Consumed by Football Fans in Qatar?
The answer is YES, although due to Qatar’s predominately Islamic culture and the strong theological prohibition on alcohol consumption, it will be subject to limited surveillance and control.
Alcohol-loving football fans continue to ask questions about their right to drink their preferred beer, vodka, gin, spirit, champagne, rum, wine, or whiskey.
Paradoxically, football supporters have said that restrictions on alcoholic beverages in Qatar could even fuel drunkenness to show an undertone protest to such regulations.
During the competition, which begins on November 20 and ends on December 18, Qatar has agreed to loosen its rigorous regulations on alcohol use. Currently, alcohol consumption is limited to a small number of hotels and pubs.
But can non-Muslim football fans who enjoy alcohol have their preferences and tastes denied? NO, that shouldn’t happen! Qatar is aware of the enormous diversity of the people that will be residing there during the world cup.
Al Khater has reassured soccer fans traveling to Qatar that, although it won’t be permitted inside the stadiums, alcohol will be sold in fan areas and outside of them during the World Cup.
Those who become intoxicated and/or too drunk will be taken to “safe” areas to sober up if it is determined that they are interfering with events related to the Mundial.
LGBT+ fans in Qatar
Al Khater has approved the travel of LGBT+ fans to Qatar. Al Khater has stated that it is not acceptable to use the World Cup to impose LGBT+ viewpoints on other uninterested individuals or Qatari citizens. That would be sending unnecessary political statements, which is prohibited. But LGBT+ supporters will be permitted to fly rainbow flags and show affection.
The most significant football competition will take place in Qatar in seven days, and the world is prepared! Is Qatar ready?
