FIFA World Cup: Why Qatar 2022 is the most controversial tournament in history

12 years on since they were first granted hosting rights for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar continues to be shrouded in controversy.

First, the Middle East nation was accused of buying hosting rights, then followed the alleged abuse of human rights and now, when the country has been rebuilt from the ground up for the showpiece event, the questions still linger.

Qatar in the line of fire

Netflix’s documentary series ‘FIFA Uncovered’ has once again put the limelight on the corruption at football’s governing body, with many wondering if the 2010 bid from the Arab nation-state was only successful because they allegedly bribed the FIFA officials.

Qatar were accused of buying the votes of Executive Committee members by paying them millions of dollars. And while they were cleared of any wrongdoing, ‘FIFA Uncovered’ highlights the level of corruption that existed during that period.

11 out of the 22 FIFA Executive Committee members were either suspended, fined, banned for life, or prosecuted for corruption thereafter. The fact that only one among those 22 officials who awarded Russia and Qatar the hosting rights still remains at FIFA, paints a rather grim picture.

FIFA’s multiple investigations cleared the Gulf state of any wrongdoing but the World Cup in Qatar will take place still surrounded by those allegations.

Death of migrant workers

The human cost of the World Cup has been highlighted by the media, the players & coaches, and the various human rights organisations time and time again.

Some estimate between 6500 to 15000 migrant workers died while working in the excruciating heat of Qatar during 2010-2021, building the infrastructure required to host an event of such magnitude.

Many feel the Kafala system that’s in place in the Arab states is to be blamed. Under Kafala, the employers have control over a worker’s visa and exit permit. Human rights experts have described the system as a form of modern-day slavery.

Back in 2010, the country just had one football stadium. They spent upwards of $150 billion in building seven more venues since then. But the cost of lives destroyed remains incalculable.

Other Human rights issues

Gender equality advocates, the LGBTQ+ community, and supporters all frowned upon FIFA’s decision to give Qatar the hosting rights in 2010. And nothing has changed in the past decade or so.

Women don’t have equal rights. Same-sex relations are a taboo in the country which criminalises any such practices. There are even restrictions for fans travelling to Qatar regarding what they can and cannot wear in public, especially for women football fans.

While the Qatari authorities can prosecute anyone breaking the country’s laws, certain football teams are planning to protest in their own way. At least a few European team captains are expected to wear the One Love Rainbow armbands in a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

The Bottom Line

The Qatar World Cup is an anomaly of the highest order. No Football World Cup in the past had taken place in the winter months. No World Cup disrupted football leagues around the globe in such a way and while the world can continue debating whether they deserved it or not, the truth is there's no going back now!