![]() ![]() ![]() (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Diverging opinionsĪs the tournament concludes, assessments will begin: was it a success beyond the sport? The answer is - it’s complicated. actor Morgan Freeman, left, with FIFA World Cup Ambassador Ghanim al-Muftah at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Doha, Qatar. But the reality is sport always happens in times and places and the political dimension cannot be ignored or set aside despite pleas from gatekeepers such as FIFA who want to better the world while appearing to stay on the political sidelines. Every match tells a story about international affairs - sometimes directly through football, other times tangentially. Throughout the tournament, our project has been highlighting this intersection of global politics and the World Cup. The gentle tone of Qatar’s leader contrasted with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s angry hour long speech the previous day calling out the West’s hypocrisy and demanding Europe apologize for the next 3,000 years for its human rights abuses. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)ĭuring the event’s opening ceremony, American actor Morgan Freeman appeared on the field with Ghanim al-Muftah - a young Qatari social media celebrity born with a lower spine impairment - to emphasize the world as “ one big tribe.” Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani welcomed the world to his nation, and asked for people to “put aside what divides them” and engage in “human and civilized communications.” And officials also highlight the legacy that the World Cup will provide Qatar, including modernized infrastructure for a diversified economy and social progress, including labour reforms, to better protect vulnerable migrant workers.Īt a news conference before the opening match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the West should not criticize Qatar and instead apologize for its own human rights abuses. Qatari authorities have challenged The Guardian’s report, claiming the number of migrant worker deaths were in line with expected mortality rates. Millions of migrant workers live in Qatar, with an estimated one million employed in the construction industry.Īccording to a report by The Guardian, 6,500 of these migrant workers - mostly from South Asia - died in Qatar in the years since FIFA’s decision to award the country the World Cup. Human rights groups criticized Qatar’s laws banning homosexuality and its poor treatment of migrant workers. Tensions escalated on the field and in the stands during Serbia’s match with Switzerland who featured players of Albanian descent. The Palestinian flag was waved by teams and fans. There were tensions between pro-government and protest-supporting Iranian fans.įans refused to be interviewed by Israeli media outlets. ![]() Soccer Federation displayed an image of the Iranian flag on social media without the Islamic Republic emblem. to be kicked out of the tournament after the U.S. Iranian state officials called for the U.S. Serbian players displayed a map of their home nation in their locker room that included Kosovo with the words “No Surrender.” Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Some Morocco fans rioted in Belgium after the North African nation defeated the Belgians. German players covered their mouths during the pre-game photo to protest the Qatari government’s human rights violations. A sampling of global politics intersecting with the World Cup include:įIFA threatened to give yellow cards to team captains who wear One Love armbands in support of LGBTQ+ rights. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Politics and sportīeyond the logistical issues, the 2022 World Cup will also be remembered as one of the most politically scrutinized sporting events in recent times. Moroccan players celebrate after becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals at the World Cup. ![]()
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