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There will be plenty of drama during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but FIFA wants players to forget about that and concentrate on the competition. The 32 nations competing in the World Cup were asked by secretary general Fatma Samoura and FIFA president Gianni Infantino not to draw attention to the politics of the game.
Let football take center stage
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has asked the 32 participating nations to put aside their differences and focus on the game in Qatar, as the upcoming World Cup is sure to be the most politically charged in the tournament’s history.
Infantino acknowledged in his letter that the global political situation is complicated and catching the World Cup 2022 livestream, and in-person first-hand is better without it.
He cautioned his teammates, though, against making that a regular part of their soccer routine. He pleaded with the 32 clubs involved in the tournament to not let football become embroiled in every imaginable ideological or political conflict.
When Qatar was chosen to host the World Cup in 2010, the country’s intervention of low-wage migrant workers who would be required to construct developments totaling tens of billions of dollars came under intense criticism. The country also has laws stigmatizing same-sex relationships, which has also drawn criticism.
The comments from FIFA in defense of Qatar come as public authorities, including Emir Sheikh Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani, have been more vocal in their targeting of detractors in the weeks leading up to the November 20 kickoff. Check our World Cup 2022 fixtures Singapore time for the complete match schedules.
Two weeks ago, the emir condemned what he claimed was an unparalleled effort against a World Cup host nation, full of lies and double standards.
Lingering controversies
Players from Australia and eight European teams have pledged to their teams’ captions to use heart-shaped armbands in part of an anti-discrimination initiative initiated in the Netherlands. The video also includes players voicing worries over Qatar’s human rights record.
Late on Friday, several federations and coaches responded to FIFA, saying they are committed to making long-term changes to the lives of migrant workers in Qatar.
On Friday, the 211 member federations of international soccer met in preparation for the World Cup’s opening game, and the Netherlands’ team leaders promised to push FIFA to establish a permanent facility in Doha for migrant workers. The Netherlands plays Qatar in Group A on November 29.
There have also been calls to boot Iran from the World Cup, despite the fact that they are in the same group as England, the United States, and Wales.
FIFA speaks of diversity
The letter from the FIFA leaders explains how the organization tries to be inclusive of other viewpoints and refrain from lecturing the world at large on morality. They went on to say that the world’s variety is one of its greatest assets.
Both Infantino and Samoura emphasized that there is no superior race or culture or country. The concept is the bedrock upon which equality and acceptance are built. Additionally, this is one of the guiding principles of the game of football.
All guests, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality, are welcome in Qatar, as has been repeatedly stated by Qatari officials, including the country’s emir during the UN general assembly in New York in September.
Senegal-born Samoura said as much about Qatar being seen as a traditional society in an internal FIFA interview published on Friday. He continued by saying that the people of Qatar are the friendliest people anywhere.
Final thoughts
At least two government ministers have suggested race as a factor in the investigation of the first Arab host of the World Cup this week.
Samoura claimed on Friday that Qatar’s labor regulations, which FIFA and Qatari officials have long claimed were sped up in preparation for the WorldCup22, were regarded as an example for regional countries to follow.
During the competition, which runs from November 20th to December 18th, Qatar anticipates welcoming over 1.2 million international guests. Feel free to place your free World Cup bets today to show your support for your favorite World Cup teams.