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Much has been made of this World Cup and all the politics married to it. Calls from people to boycott the tournament and making protests leading up to and during the tournament over humans right issues of the migrant workers who have died constructing the stadiums or had their passports held from them.
Aside from that there is the country’s outdated stance of LGBT+ rights and the decision at the 11th hour to remove serving beer from the stadiums. Finally having to adjust domestic football calendars to host a World Cup in the winter due to crazy temperatures during summer in the middle east.
The World Cup landing in Qatar is a stain upon FIFA, who I believe shoulder the majority of the blame for this tournament with the corrupt process of bidding leading to a nation with a barren track record at international level at best.
The World Cup is meant to be a celebration of football at the highest level and it has been brought down by these decisions. It is true that comparing human rights records across the world has a large slice of hypocrisy from those calling for boycotts. Not to discredit the nature of these calls.
The glaring issues are not even having a World Cup in the middle east, it should be shared around the world however it should not be going to a nation that has never qualified for a World Cup previously and that requires to build 7 fresh new stadiums that will likely stand as historical relics in due time. Even Saudi Arabia would make much more sense?
It is supposed to be an even that brings the world together and right now that attempt seems more likely to divide further as the world is trying to force opinions and beliefs around from both sides. It has brought a sour taste to the lead up to the tournament.
I’m a big football fan and so it is such a disappointment that an important event has come to this and players are used as political pawns. I have even less desire to visit Qatar than ever before.