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Buildup thread: FIFA 2022 World Cup to take place between November 21 - December 18 in Qatar

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This mascot....
 
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, USA, European Play-Off

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, IC Play-Off 1, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, IC Play-Off 2, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
 
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England couldn't have hoped for a better draw than this.

Easiest group in the tournament.
 
England always seem to get the easier draw. They should really capitalise on this one day. Ha
 
It seems an easy draw but anything can happen in the World Cup.

I expect England to reach the quaters at best. Southgate is vastly overated, a defensive manager whose style of play is simply not good enough to win such a tournament.

Brazil, Spain, Germany and Belguim are my favs for this tournament.
 
England are likely to get Argentina or France in the quarter finals. And that would likely be that :))
 
England’s (improbable) route to the final:

825053C7-DF21-4051-A71D-33EF7B910986.jpg
 
Great Draw.

Some tough groups there.

Qatar has got a very tough group, it will be very hard for them to make through to knockouts.

As an Argentina Supporter, I'm fine with the group they got, although they must finish first place, otherwise they will be facing France in the Round of 16 again...

(assuming France finishes 1st in their group).

Group A, F and H are the toughest groups.
 
<b>FIFA World Cup fixtures</b>

Group stage kick-off times and venues for all games will be confirmed in due course.

All times shown are local.

<b>UK TIMEZONE CONVERSION</b>
1PM local: 10AM GMT
4PM local: 1PM GMT
6PM local: 3PM GMT
10PM local: 7PM GMT


<b>GROUP STAGE</b>

<b>Monday, Nov. 21</b>
Group A: Qatar vs. Ecuador (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 1 p.m.)
Group A: Senegal vs. Netherlands
Group B: England vs. Iran
Group B: United States vs. Wales or Scotland / Ukraine

<b>Tuesday, Nov. 22</b>
Group C: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia
Group C: Mexico vs. Poland
Group D: France vs. Peru or Australia / United Arab Emirates
Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia

<b>Wednesday, Nov. 23</b>
Group E: Spain vs. Costa Rica or New Zealand
Group E: Germany vs. Japan
Group F: Belgium vs. Canada
Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia

<b>Thursday, Nov. 24</b>
Group G: Brazil vs. Serbia
Group G: Switzerland vs. Cameroon
Group H: Portugal vs. Ghana
Group H: Uruguay vs. South Korea

<b>Friday, Nov. 25</b>
Group A: Qatar vs. Senegal
Group A: Netherlands vs. Ecuador
Group B: England vs. United States
Group B: Wales or Scotland / Ukraine vs. Iran

<b>Saturday, Nov. 26</b>
Group C: Argentina vs. Mexico
Group C: Poland vs. Saudi Arabia
Group D: France vs. Denmark
Group D: Tunisia vs. Peru or Australia / United Arab Emirates

<b>Sunday, Nov. 27</b>
Group E: Spain vs. Germany
Group E: Japan vs. Costa Rica or New Zealand
Group F: Belgium vs. Morocco
Group F: Croatia vs. Canada

<b>Monday, Nov. 28</b>
Group G: Brazil vs. Switzerland
Group G: Cameroon vs. Serbia
Group H: Portugal vs. Uruguay
Group H: South Korea vs. Ghana

<b>Tuesday, Nov. 29</b>
Group A: Netherlands vs. Qatar
Group A: Ecuador vs. Senegal
Group B: Wales or Scotland / Ukraine vs. England
Group B: Iran vs. United States

<b>Wednesday, Nov. 30</b>
Group C: Poland vs. Argentina
Group C: Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico
Group D: Tunisia vs. France
Group D: Peru or Australia / United Arab Emirates vs. Denmark

<b>Thursday, Dec. 1</b>
Group E: Japan vs. Spain
Group E: Costa Rica or New Zealand vs. Germany
Group F: Croatia vs. Belgium
Group F: Canada vs. Morocco

<b>Friday, Dec. 2</b>
Group G: Cameroon vs. Brazil
Group G: Serbia vs. Switzerland
Group H: South Korea vs. Portugal
Group H: Ghana vs. Uruguay


<b>ROUND OF 16</b>

<b>Saturday, Dec. 3</b>
49 - Winners of Group A vs. Runners-up of Group B (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
50 - Winners of Group C vs. Runners-up of Group D (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10 p.m.)

<b>Sunday, Dec. 4</b>
52 - Winners of Group D vs. Runners-up of Group C (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 6 p.m.)
51 - Winners of Group B vs. Runners-up of Group A (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)

<b>Monday, Dec. 5</b>
53 - Winners of Group E vs. Runners-up of Group F (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 6 p.m.)
54 - Winners of Group G vs. Runners-up of Group H (Stadium 974, Doha; 10 p.m.)

<b>Tuesday, Dec. 6</b>
55 - Winners of Group F vs. Runners-up of Group E (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
56 - Winners of Group H vs. Runners-up of Group G (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)


<b>QUARTER-FINALS</b>

<b>Friday, Dec. 9</b>
58 - Winners of 53 vs. Winners of 54 (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
57 - Winners of 49 vs. Winners of 50 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

<b>Saturday, Dec. 10</b>
60 - Winners of 55 vs. Winners of 56 (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 6 p.m.)
59 - Winners of 51 vs. Winners of 52 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)


<b>SEMI-FINALS</b>

<b>Tuesday, Dec. 13</b>
61 - Winners of 57 vs. Winners of 58 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

<b>Wednesday, Dec. 14</b>
62 - Winners of 59 vs. Winners of 60 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)


<b>THIRD PLACE MATCH</b>

<b>Saturday, Dec. 17</b>
63 - Losers of 61 vs. Losers of 62 (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)


<b>FINAL</b>

<b>Sunday, Dec. 18</b>
64 - Winners of 61 vs. Winners of 62 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 6 p.m.)
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Once again, Pakistan’s contribution at the World Cup — apart from of course most importantly providing the labourers whose hard work, sweat and lives helped build it — will be the World Cup match ball: ‘Al Rihla’ which means ‘the journey’. <a href="https://t.co/XQPwpOEvfB">pic.twitter.com/XQPwpOEvfB</a></p>— Umaid Wasim (@UmaidWasim) <a href="https://twitter.com/UmaidWasim/status/1509793513856196610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
England could face Scotland or Wales at the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 after the draw for the tournament's finals was made on Friday.

One of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine will go into Group B after the remaining European play-off path is completed.

Iran and the USA have also been drawn in England's group.

The World Cup takes place between 21 November and 18 December in Qatar, with Senegal playing the Netherlands in the tournament's opening game.

England's first fixture, taking place on the same day, sees them take on Iran. The two sides have never met in a senior men's competitive international.

The game will take place eight days after the Premier League begins a six-week break.

Reigning champions France are in Group D while Brazil, who returned to number one in the Fifa world rankings on 31 March, are in Group G.

Wales, seeking to reach their first World Cup since 1958, will have to overcome the winners of Scotland and Ukraine in the play-off final in June.

However, that semi-final - which had been scheduled to take place on 24 March at Hampden - was postponed because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

When do England play?

Watch every goal from England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals
After playing Iran on 21 November, England play the USA on 25 November before finishing their Group B campaign on 29 November against one of Scotland, Wales or Ukraine.

The winner of the remaining European play-off will open their World Cup campaign against the USA on the first day of the tournament.

Should Scotland progress they will play England at a World Cup finals for the first time. The two sides met at last summer's Euro 2020 tournament with the game ending goalless.

Wales and England have never met at a World Cup finals either. England won 2-1 when the sides met in the group stage at Euro 2016.

"We've got to get out of the group," said England boss Gareth Southgate. "Out first objective is to get out of the group and then we build from there.

"When you're seeded you get the advantage of missing out on those big six or seven teams. Most of the first seeds would be pleased with the group they get.

"The USA are an interesting one. They've got some very good players and we know what they could be capable of, so that one in particular is an intriguing one."

The winner of England's group could meet world champions France in the quarter-finals.

Topping Group B means a last-16 game with the runners up in Group A, which contains the Netherlands, Ecuador, Senegal and hosts Qatar.

Should France top Group D they will face the runners-up in Group C, which features Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.

What else stands out?

Group E sees former world champions Spain and Germany drawn together. They will meet in their second group game on 27 November.

Belgium are in Group F alongside 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal are in Group H, which also sees Ghana and Uruguay meet in a rematch of the controversial 2010 World Cup quarter-final tie.

In that game, Luis Suarez handled on the line to deny the Ghanaians a winner in the last minute of extra time.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Argentina are in Group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Robert Lewandowski's Poland.

'England can have no complaints'
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty

England will understandably make all the right noises about just how difficult their World Cup group in Qatar will be, but no-one can deny it could have been a lot more difficult for Gareth Southgate's side.

For all the unpredictability of the World Cup, as demonstrated frequently over the years, England will have no complaints whatsoever, given what they could have been presented with.

The United States will call on history - they beat England in the 1950 World Cup and drew in South Africa in 2010 - but reality insists they will be huge underdogs, even if they have a very respectable Fifa ranking of 15th.

England open against Iran and face what might well be their toughest challenge in the final game when they will meet either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.

Each of those potential fixtures will have its own emotional currency, as demonstrated by passionate, tightly contested games with Wales and Scotland at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 respectively. England only saw off Wales with a last-minute winner from Daniel Sturridge in France, while the improving Scots got a fully deserved draw at Wembley last summer.

Ukraine, meanwhile, will have support from around the globe, as well as talent in their side - but, make no mistake, England will be quietly satisfied with what the draw has thrown their way, in the group stage at least.

Former Wales captain Ashley Williams on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We were the most successful Wales squad, getting to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, but we didn't get to a World Cup. Just getting there would be a box ticked for Wales. If they manage to get there you're feeling a bit like we have a good chance.

"Let's not get carried away but we can look at it with some optimism. There could have been a worse group."

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: "Scotland are in a really good place at the minute.

"The performance at Wembley in the Euros was really good and we got slaughtered for celebrating a 0-0 draw, but it was a great performance and showed the potential of the young team.

"Now we have a strong squad and optimism we can get the job done. The response from the players and manager [since the Euros] has been outstanding."

Why don't we know all the teams?

Usually all the teams would be known before the World Cup draw but this year three positions are yet to be decided for two reasons.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine delayed the European play-off, while the coronavirus pandemic accounts for the other delays.

Two intercontinental finals will be played in Qatar on 13 and 14 June. Costa Rica and New Zealand meet in one and in the other Peru will play the winner of the United Arab Emirates v Australia, who meet in the Asian play-off in Doha on 7 June.

Those games were moved from March because of knock-on effects of the Covid pandemic in each continent. All the Oceania qualifiers were played from 17-30 March in a mini-tournament in Qatar.

Who won't be at the World Cup?

European champions Italy are the most notable absentees after their play-off defeat by North Macedonia, although they did also miss out on the last World Cup.

Russia also miss out after being disqualified from the play-offs following their country's invasion of Ukraine.

Norway failed to qualify, meaning Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Braut Haaland will have to wait for his major tournament debut.

Mohamed Salah and Egypt will not be there either after losing to Senegal on penalties.

Nigeria, Algeria and Ivory Coast are also missing from Africa, while South American World Cup regulars Colombia and Chile also failed to qualify.

BBC
 
Couple of good draws for the Asian sides. Korea Rep and Iran could get out of their groups, Qatar as well have a chance being the hosts.

Saudi should finish bottom and tough luck for Japan getting those two powerhouses in the same group.
 
Saudi Arabia are actually at their strongest since 15+years
They matched Japan and outplayed Australia

And dont forget they will have the most supporters in terms of volume at the world cup, even more than Qatar
So they will be effectively be playing home games, which is why I believe they have a good chance of progressing with Argentina
 
<b>UK TV schedule for World Cup 2022 - the channel showing every group game</b>

England's opening group game against Iran at the 2022 World Cup will be shown live on the BBC.

Gareth Southgate's side are in action on the opening day of the tournament in Qatar on Monday, 21 November.

The Three Lions' final group game against the final European qualifier, which will be one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, will also be live on the BBC.

The BBC will also show the second group game between Iran and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.

England's second group stage match against the United States will be shown live on ITV, as will Ukraine, Scotland or Wales' match against the US.

Ukraine's play-off against Scotland last month was postponed because of Russia's invasion of the country and has been provisionally rescheduled for June. The winner of that tie will then play Wales for a place at the World Cup.

The BBC, which has first pick of the semi-finals, is sharing television coverage of the tournament in the UK with ITV, which has first and second picks in the last 16 and first pick of the quarter-finals.

Away from the home nations, the BBC will also show group stage matches between Spain and Germany, Brazil and Serbia, and Argentina and Poland - as well as two matches featuring defending champions France and all of Belgium's group games.

There will be four games per day during the group stage, with the first two rounds of matches kicking off at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00 GMT, meaning fans will be able to watch 11 hours of continuous live football across both channels.

"We are very excited about our selection of matches," said Philip Bernie, BBC head of TV Sport.

"We have two England group games - their opening game with Iran then the enticing match against either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine - as well as the heavyweight clash between Spain and Germany, big games involving Brazil, Argentina, France and Belgium, and the first pick of the semi-finals.

"With extensive 24/7 coverage across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, radio, online and social media, the World Cup promises to be a huge event to wrap up a major sporting year on the BBC."

Niall Sloane, ITV's director of sport, said: "The World Cup is now in focus and we're delighted to be able to bring viewers coverage of some of the standout games of the tournament across ITV channels and our new free streaming service ITVX, which launches this autumn.

"We have picks one and two of the round of 16 and pick one of the quarter-finals. The ITV Sport team is now looking forward to bringing viewers the very best of the first winter World Cup."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61011847
 
<b>UK TV coverage of England group games</b>

21 November, 13:00: England v Iran - BBC

25 November, 19:00: England v USA - ITV

29 November, 19:00: Ukraine/Scotland/Wales v England - BBC


<b>UK TV coverage of Ukraine/Scotland/Wales group games</b>

21 November, 19:00: USA v Ukraine/Scotland/Wales - ITV

25 November, 10:00: Ukraine/Scotland/Wales v Iran - BBC

29 November, 19:00: Ukraine/Scotland/Wales vs England - BBC


<b>UK TV schedule for all 2022 World Cup group games</b>

21 November, 10:00: Senegal v Netherlands - ITV

21 November, 13:00: England v Iran - BBC

21 November, 16:00: Qatar v Ecuador - BBC

21 November, 19:00: USA v Ukraine/Scotland/Wales - ITV

22 November, 10:00: Argentina v Saudi Arabia - ITV

22 November, 13:00: Denmark v Tunisia - ITV

22 November, 16:00: Mexico v Poland - BBC

22 November, 19:00: France v UAE/Australia/Peru - BBC

23 November, 10:00: Morocco v Croatia - ITV

23 November, 13:00: Germany v Japan - ITV

23 November, 16:00: Spain v Costa Rica/New Zealand - ITV

23 November, 19:00: Belgium v Canada - BBC

24 November, 10:00: Switzerland v Cameroon - ITV

24 November, 13:00: Uruguay v South Korea - BBC

24 November, 16:00: Portugal v Ghana - ITV

24 November, 19:00: Brazil v Serbia - BBC

25 November, 10:00: Ukraine/Scotland/Wales v Iran - BBC

25 November, 13:00: Qatar v Senegal - BBC

25 November, 16:00: Netherlands v Ecuador - ITV

25 November, 19:00: England v USA - ITV

26 November, 10:00: Tunisia v UAE/Australia/Peru - BBC

26 November, 13:00: Poland v Saudi Arabia - ITV

26 November, 16:00: France v Denmark - ITV

26 November, 19:00: Argentina v Mexico - ITV

27 November, 10:00: Japan v Costa Rica/New Zealand - ITV

27 November, 13:00: Belgium v Morocco - BBC

27 November, 16:00: Croatia v Canada - BBC

27 November, 19:00: Spain v Germany - BBC

28 November, 10:00: Cameroon v Serbia - ITV

28 November, 13:00: South Korea v Ghana - BBC

28 November, 16:00: Brazil v Switzerland - ITV

28 November, 19:00: Portugal v Uruguay - ITV

29 November, 15:00: Ecuador v Senegal - ITV

29 November, 15:00: Netherlands v Qatar - ITV

29 November, 19:00: Iran v USA - BBC

29 November, 19:00: Ukraine/Scotland/Wales v England - BBC

30 November, 15:00: Tunisia v France - BBC

30 November, 15:00: UAE/Australia/Peru v Denmark - BBC

30 November, 19:00: Poland v Argentina - BBC

30 November, 19:00: Saudi Arabia v Mexico - BBC

1 December, 16:00: Canada v Morocco - BBC

1 December, 16:00: Croatia v Belgium - BBC

1 December, 19:00: Japan v Spain - ITV

1 December, 19:00: Costa Rica/New Zealand v Germany - ITV

2 December, 16:00: Ghana v Uruguay - BBC

2 December, 16:00: South Korea v Portugal - BBC

2 December, 19:00: Serbia v Switzerland - ITV

2 December, 19:00: Cameroon v Brazil - ITV
 
KARACHI: Although, Pakistan is currently facing suspension from international football due to third party’s interference but the country still makes headlines in the world’s richest sport for positive reasons. It is producing footballs which will be used once again during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November-December in Qatar, the first Gulf nation which will be hosting the global showpiece whose draws were held a few days ago in Doha, a day after the FIFA Congress.

The match-ball is named as Al-Rihla, which means ‘the journey’, and is manufactured in Pakistan by Adidas through ‘Forward Sports’, a Sialkot-based company. This is the third time that the brand of ‘Forward Sports’ will be used in the World Cup. “This is the third time that our product will be used in the World Cup. Before this we had made footballs for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups also,” Forward Sports Managing Director Hassan Masood told The News Thursday. “This brand, which will be used in Qatar World Cup, is too much responsive and is faster. The 25 percent elements, which have been used in this brand, are sustainable and this brand is made of re-cycled material,” Hassan said.

He said 3,000 footballs will be used during the World Cup in Qatar while their replicas sale target is eight million. “Its weight ranges from 425 to 445 grams while its size is from 68.8 cm to 69.3 cm,” he added.

Meanwhile, according to FIFA, it has been designed to back peak game speeds as it travels faster in flight than any ball in the tournament’s history. “This is a stunning, sustainable and high-quality official match ball from Adidas that will be enjoyed by stars performing at the top of their game on the world’s biggest stage in Qatar, as well as grassroot players everywhere,” FIFA’s Director Marketing Jean-François Pathy said.

“Al-Rihla’s worldwide journey will represent the incredible reach of the FIFA World Cup and give fans a unique opportunity to engage with the event as excitement builds ahead of the big kick-off.”

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/948407-pak-made-footballs-to-be-used-in-fifa-world-cup-2022
 
Some World Cup hotels in Qatar have refused to allow same-sex couples to stay and others have asked customers to avoid public displays of affection, according to an investigation.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar - but FIFA and Qatari authorities have previously insisted that everyone is welcome at this year's tournament.

However, a team of Norwegian, Swedish and Danish reporters said they contacted 69 hotels on FIFA's official list of recommended accommodations - posing as a newly wed gay couple - and found three refused to accept reservations.

Twenty other hotels said they would accommodate them as long as they did not publicly show that they were gay.

Thirty-three hotels had no issues and were happy to book rooms for same-sex couples, according to the report by Norwegian Broadcaster NRK, Sweden's SVT and Denmark's DR.

"FIFA is confident that all necessary measures will be in place for LGBT+ supporters so that they, like everyone else, can feel welcome and safe during the championships," football's world governing body told the reporters in its response to their investigation.

It added it had made Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) at the World Cup aware of the findings.

The committee said Qatar is a "conservative country" but was "committed to delivering an inclusive FIFA World Cup experience that is welcoming, safe and accessible to all".

It added, however, that it would take action against hotels that do not comply.

"Everyone is welcome in Qatar, regardless of their race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. All fans should feel welcome to book accommodation with the knowledge that the private lives of individuals living or visiting Qatar are respected," it said.

"More than 100 hotels in Qatar that will accommodate visiting football fans, players, officials and other core stakeholders, will be required to comply with the Sustainable Sourcing Code," a committee spokesperson told Reuters news agency.

"As a result, hotel operators complying with the Sustainable Sourcing Code are subsequently monitored and evaluated.

"The SC treats any violation of this code or instance of discrimination with the utmost seriousness.

"We would welcome further information on these allegations to ensure any partner associated with the FIFA World Cup does not fall short of the standards expected."

England manager Gareth Southgate had previously voiced his concerns, saying in March that he was unhappy some fans will not feel safe travelling to the event due to concerns over human rights issues in the country.

The same month, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told the Associated Press news agency: "Everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ+."

The World Cup in Qatar will take place from 21 November to 18 December.

https://news.sky.com/story/qatar-wo...x-couples-according-to-investigation-12611857
 
Fifa has been urged to set up a compensation fund of at least $440m (£350m) for migrant workers who have suffered "human rights abuses" during preparations for the Qatar World Cup.

Amnesty International made the request in a letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

The letter states: "Until all workers are compensated, the tournament cannot be truly celebrated."

The sum suggested is equal to the 2022 World Cup prize money fund.

It is estimated up to 30,000 migrant labourers have been used on projects to build seven stadiums for the finals in Qatar, as well as a new airport, new metro and new roads.

Amnesty, along with other human rights organisations and fans' groups, have called on Fifa not only to support workers who have died or been injured, but who have had pay withheld by employers or been forced to pay recruitment fees in order to secure work.

Amnesty International's UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said there was a role to play for the England team, manager Gareth Southgate and the Football Association to put pressure on Fifa to act.

"Thousands of migrant workers have been exploited and many have tragically died to make this World Cup possible, so we hope the FA and Gareth Southgate and the players will back this innovative scheme to secure much-needed compensation for long-suffering workers' families," he said.

"Nothing can bring dead workers back to life or restore the dignity of those who were trapped in conditions amounting to modern-day slavery during Qatar's World Cup building boom, but a Fifa workers' fund would still be an important move."

Fifa said it was assessing the programme proposed by Amnesty and was already looking at ways to compensate workers in association with the organising committee.

"Through the recruitment fee reimbursement scheme, for example, both Fifa World Cup and non-Fifa World Cup workers have received payments of a total $22.6m (£18m) as of December 2021, with an additional $5.7m (£4.5m) committed by contractors," it said.

Qatar's World Cup organisers added they had "worked tirelessly" with international groups for the rights of workers on stadiums and other tournament projects.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said: "Significant improvements have been made across accommodation standards, health and safety regulations, grievance mechanisms, healthcare provision, and reimbursements of illegal recruitment fees to workers."

BBC
 
Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022: New report discredits carbon neutrality claim

Fifa and Qatar's claims that the 2022 World Cup will be carbon neutral involve "creative accounting" and are "misleading", says a new report.

Carbon Market Watch says the tournament will not achieve a net-zero carbon footprint, despite claims it would be the first football World Cup to do so.

Researchers believe calculations "ignore major sources of emissions".

In a statement, organisers said it was "speculative and inaccurate" to draw conclusions on their commitment.

In September, organisers detailed how they would deliver the first "carbon-neutral Fifa World Cup in the history of the event".

They pointed to the compact nature of the tournament, use of renewable energy at the eight stadiums and use of solar power in the country during the World Cup.

Fifa says at "no point" has it "mis-led its stakeholders".

A spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) told BBC Sport: "We are on track to hosting a carbon-neutral World Cup.

"The methodology used to calculate the carbon-neutral commitment is best in practice and was designed to be based on actual activity data, after the World Cup has concluded. This will be published, and any discrepancies will be explained and offset.

"No other country has engaged so deeply with its citizens to ensure a sustainable legacy is left behind after a Fifa World Cup."

The report's author Gilles Dufrasne says the carbon neutrality claim "is simply not credible", adding: "Despite a lack of transparency, the evidence suggests that the emissions from this World Cup will be considerably higher than expected by the organisers, and the carbon credits being purchased to offset these emissions are unlikely to have any positive impact on the climate."

Dufrasne told BBC Sport: "Calling the event itself carbon neutral is problematic. Even if the accounting had been done properly, it gives a false sense of achievement and says we can continue to host this mega event every four years and can continue to do that at no significant cost to the climate.

"This gives a false idea to the general public and fans attending, so the policy makers need to communicate correctly about the impact of these events, putting the measures in place to reduce emissions but then still be clear about the fact that these events come at a cost. We need to be transparent about it."

The report highlights an underestimation of emissions associated with building new stadiums, with seven of the eight venues having been built from scratch and the other one extensively redeveloped.

It also questions the "credibility and independence" of a carbon credits scheme created especially for the tournament.

The SC added: "The emissions that will be unavoidable while preparing for and hosting the tournament will be offset through investing in internationally recognised and certified carbon credits.

"The SC's decision to transparently and proactively offset carbon emissions in a responsible manner should be recognised."

Last June, a Fifa report said the 2022 World Cup would produce up to 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is more than some nations produce in a year.

For instance, Montenegro, Iceland and the Democratic Republic of the Congo all produced fewer than three million tonnes of CO2 in the year 2018, according to the International Energy Agency.

In a statement, football's world governing body said: "Fifa is fully aware of the risks that mega-events pose on the economy, the natural environment and on people and communities, and has been making efforts to tackle those impacts and use opportunities that arise to mitigate the negative impacts and maximise the positive impacts of its iconic tournament."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61636473
 
KARACHI: The FIFA World Cup Trophy tour ahead of the Football World Cup 2022 in Qatar will now tour Lahore instead of the previously decided destination – Islamabad, following the possible political unrest in the capital.

The trophy tour, which was kicked off on May 12 in Dubai will stop in 51 countries and territories including Pakistan. The destination of the glittering trophy in Pakistan, however, has been changed from Islamabad to Lahore.

According to the details, The trophy will arrive in Lahore on June 7 after arriving from Uzbekistan and will travel to Saudi Arabia on June 8 following a day-long stay in the country.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy will be unveiled at a local hotel here on June 7.

A-sports
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Graeme Souness believes that FIFA should send Ukraine to the World Cup, despite what happens in the World Cup qualifier play-off semi-final against Scotland.<a href="https://t.co/du0XXG5193">pic.twitter.com/du0XXG5193</a></p>— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1532072523822923776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
LAHORE: The glittering trophy of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been unveiled by the former french footballer Christian Karembeu in a ceremony, held here at a local hotel today.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by the Pakistan football stars Kaleemullah, Hajra Khan, and Saddam Hussain along with other footballers.

The officials of the Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Sports Board were also present on the occasion.

Ahmed Orakzai, secretary of Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), received a souvenir from the French footballer, who expressed his delight over the occasion. He also presented souvenirs to Kaleemullah and Saddam Hussain.

Young football talents hailing from Gilgit, Malir, and Lyari were also invited to the ceremony.

FIFA-trophy-Lahore-696x456.gif
 
Braveheart said:
Believe me, these EDL 'Rats' will be there (In QATAR) in some form, regardless of restrictions.
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EDL is pretty much finished as one member already stated, nothing to worry about if a few remnants turn up. Why would they come to Muslim country in the first place?
 
Australia beat UAE to set up Peru play-off

Australia beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to set up a World Cup play-off with Peru next Monday for a place in Qatar.

Jackson Irvine scored the opening goal of the Asian play-off at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, slotting home after good play on the right wing by former Hibernian team-mate Martin Boyle.

Brazil-born Caio Canedo equalised from close range after poor defending.

But Ajdin Hrustic's heavily deflected strike was enough to send Australia into the intercontinental play-off.

The game was played in 33C heat, although the stadium in Al Rayyan has air conditioning.

They meet South Americans Peru at the same venue for a place in the World Cup.

The final World Cup place will be decided on Tuesday when Costa Rica face New Zealand.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61726575
 
<b>Qatar World Cup 2022: German ex-football star says host's treatment of gay people is unacceptable</b>

The treatment of gay people in World Cup host Qatar has been described as "absolutely unacceptable" by German football official Oliver Bierhoff.

Mr Bierhoff told German newspapers he was unhappy that homosexuality was still illegal in the Gulf state.

The former German football star also questioned the criteria used in selecting Qatar to host the tournament.

Fifa has said all LGBTQ+ symbols will be allowed in stadiums during the event, which begins in November.

But Qatari authorities have appealed for outsiders to respect their "conservative" culture.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and human rights organisation Amnesty International has said women and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer or questioning) people "continue to face discrimination in law and practice".

Qatar has been heavily criticised over the country's human rights record, including the the treatment of migrant workers building stadiums for the competition.

Mr Bierhoff, the technical director of the German football team and a World Cup runner-up in 2002, said Qatar's position on gay rights "does not correspond in any way to my convictions".

He also questioned how the rich state won the right to hold the competition - the first time it will be held in the Middle East.

The decision, announced in 2010, prompted allegations that Fifa officials had been bribed to award the World Cup to Qatar - although an independent investigation commissioned by Fifa later found no hard evidence of this.

"What criteria does FIFA actually use to award a World Cup?", Mr Bierhoff asked.

"The awarding of a tournament is the most powerful weapon to push for the necessary changes," he said, but those changes "must occur before the choice of the country and not after, otherwise we have no more means of pressure."

World Cup organisers have been struggling to convince lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans that they will be safe.

Some 1.4 million people are expected to go to Qatar for the event.

England manager Gareth Southgate previously said it would be "a great shame" that some fans will feel they cannot attend the World Cup because of the strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws, while captain Harry Kane said he wants to "shine a light" on the issues surrounding the Qatar tournament.

In March, Qatar's secretary general of the World Cup said criticism by players and managers of the state had been "ill-informed", adding that "everybody is welcome" to attend the event.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-61770020
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that semi-automated offsides could be used at the 2022 World Cup 🌍🏆 <a href="https://t.co/3LZhFW83ri">pic.twitter.com/3LZhFW83ri</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1536423162098946049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Australia book World Cup place on penalties

Australia became the 31st team to book their place at the 2022 World Cup after beating Peru on penalties in an intercontinental play-off in Qatar.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, who replaced Mat Ryan just before the shootout for his third cap, was the hero, saving Alex Valera's final kick.

This will be Australia's fifth World Cup in a row, having qualified every time since 2006.

They will be in Group D alongside holders France, Denmark and Tunisia.

The World Cup's final team will be decided on Tuesday when Costa Rica face New Zealand at the same venue, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

That game will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website and app as well as on iPlayer and the Red Button at 19:00 BST

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61771218
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“15,000 dead for the big stage - FIFA and co. don’t want to know. Boycott Qatar!” Big banner held up here by German fans as Germany-Italy gets under way. <a href="https://t.co/XENxeicKqc">pic.twitter.com/XENxeicKqc</a></p>— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) <a href="https://twitter.com/archiert1/status/1536783142752817155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Firebat said:
Australia book World Cup place on penalties

Australia became the 31st team to book their place at the 2022 World Cup after beating Peru on penalties in an intercontinental play-off in Qatar.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, who replaced Mat Ryan just before the shootout for his third cap, was the hero, saving Alex Valera's final kick.

This will be Australia's fifth World Cup in a row, having qualified every time since 2006.

They will be in Group D alongside holders France, Denmark and Tunisia.

The World Cup's final team will be decided on Tuesday when Costa Rica face New Zealand at the same venue, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

That game will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website and app as well as on iPlayer and the Red Button at 19:00 BST

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61771218
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Australia have a reasonably easy group (France, Denmark, and Tunisia). They can probably beat Denmark and Tunisia.
 
<b>Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand</b>

Costa Rica became the last team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with victory over New Zealand.

In the intercontinental play-off, Costa Rica took a third-minute lead when ex-Arsenal player Joel Campbell shot low into the bottom corner.

New Zealand ended the match with 10 men as substitute Kosta Barbarouses was sent off for fouling Francisco Calvo.

The World Cup begins on 21 November with Costa Rica playing 2010 champions Spain in their opener on 23 November.

Ranked 31st in the world, Luis Fernando Suarez's side go into Group E, which also contains four-time winners Germany and a Japan side who have advanced beyond the group phase in three of the past five tournaments.

Costa Rica have now qualified for the World Cup six times and this will be their third successive appearance.

Their best performance came in 2014 when they reached the quarter-finals, finishing top of a group that included Uruguay, Italy and England, before beating Greece on penalties in the last 16 and losing in a shootout to the Netherlands.

After finishing fourth in Concacaf qualifying, Costa Rica faced Oceania winners New Zealand with their tie taking place at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

New Zealand, ranked 101st in the world, had a good spell just after conceding the goal, but Alex Greive, Matthew Garbett and Newcastle striker Chris Wood all failed to convert chances from inside the penalty area.

Wood thought he had scored late in the first half when he shot past Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

However, the referee ruled out the goal after checking the incident on a pitchside monitor following a video assistant referee check - and judged Garbett had fouled Oscar Duarte before crossing for Wood to finish.

A VAR check also led to Barbarouses' dismissal as the referee changed his original decision from a yellow card to red after seeing the challenge had caught Calvo on the ankle. The 10 men of New Zealand fought until the end, but could not find an equaliser.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61804554
 
<b>Updated groups (final 32):</b>

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
 
The Football Association is focused on producing a positive legacy for migrant workers at the World Cup, its chair, Debbie Hewitt, has said, with discussions on possible solutions coming within days.

Calls for the England team and its governing body to endorse a legacy project have been growing in recent weeks, with NGOs and the the international players’ union, Fifpro, calling for support on two central ideas – financial remedy for workers and their families, and the creation of a permanent workers centre in Qatar.

“The context of Qatar is not straightforward for many and varied reasons”, said Hewitt, who took over as FA chair at the beginning of this year. “I’ve been to Qatar three times and I would say that if there’s a positive to come from a World Cup then it is the opportunity to give migrant workers their voice and that’s the way they see it, having sat down and spoken with them.

“That responsibility comes back to a legacy and there’s a lot of talk before the [tournament] on where we can unite with other federations. I do think that’s important – where it’s united we will stand – to leave a legacy behind that shines a light on the issues, put in place some solutions, and that can overall be a positive thing.”

The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, is to meet representatives of other qualified World Cup nations next week to discuss the legacy issue and the possibility of players relaying a symbolic message during the tournament. The Guardian understands that discussions on the financial remedy and the workers’ centre will be part of the agenda. “We would hope to be able to give an update after we’ve spoken to the players in the wake of that workshop”, Bullingham said.

Hewitt also endorsed Gareth Southgate, who will lead England at the World Cup. The England manager was booed and mocked by supporters after the 4-0 home defeat to Hungary last week and while Hewitt acknowledges the team have experienced “a stumble”, she praised Southgate’s qualities as a leader and defended the decision to extend his contract last year.

“My personal opinion on Gareth is that he is the most successful England manager we’ve had for 55 years,” she said. “He’s taken us to a World Cup semi-final and a Euros final. But the bit people don’t see as much is the Gareth at camp and the culture he’s created. Certainly, prior to Gareth being the manager of England there was not the pride of wearing the England shirt. There were the club rivalries we’d read about. The players not getting on. He’s changed that beyond recognition.

Gareth Southgate was booed by England fans after last week’s 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux. ‘He is the most successful manager we’ve had for 55 years’ said FA chair, Debbie Hewitt.

“I don’t just work in football, I work in business and I’ve worked with a lot of chief executives and Gareth’s skills — his high IQ and high EQ [emotional intelligence] — would make him a chief exec in any sphere. That resilience and accountability are the two qualities I admire most about him. He takes [responsibility], he doesn’t huff, he’s resilient and that’s what you want in an England manager.”

Hewitt confirmed she spoke to Southgate after the Hungary match and he responded by accepting he had things to learn from the loss. “His openness to learn is quite remarkable and quite unusual in any sphere,” she said, adding that the contract extension, which runs until December 2024, was a “red herring, because I don’t think we would be discussing it had we not had the recent series of games. Clearly we did that with proper discussion and thought.

“That there’s been a stumble does not make us automatically say ‘should we have given him a contract?’ We have confidence in Gareth for all the reasons I described and that’s the important thing. And it’s particularly important going into the biggest tournament.”

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ts-chair-debbie-hewitt-qatar?CMP=share_btn_tw
 
Will be weird following this in the winter, maybe for us it will be good, less booze and alcohol inspired anti-social behaviour; what you think lads [MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]
 
shaz619 said:
Will be weird following this in the winter, maybe for us it will be good, less booze and alcohol inspired anti-social behaviour; what you think lads [MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]
Click to expand...

It is an open secret at this point that the tournament was awarded via corrupt means, and I’m not impressed by the LGBT rights (or lack of) situation at the moment.

Hoping that the football and hospitality will be of a high quality and wash away my doubts.

Trying to approach with an open mind.
 
Fifa has approved 26-man squads for this year's World Cup in Qatar.

The move is in line with recent national competitions and is an expansion on the 23-man squads that had been used before the coronavirus pandemic.

Fifa also said up to 15 substitutes can be named for a game, meaning no player misses out - something England head coach Gareth Southgate had called for.

"I think everybody has to be available for all the games," he said in April.

Southgate added: "If the squads are going to be bigger then it needs to be a situation where everybody is able to change on a matchday."

The deadline for all 32 countries competing to submit their final squads is 20 October - 30 days before the first game between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Fifa also said that no more than 26 people - up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials, of which one must be the team doctor - will be allowed to sit on the bench.
 
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Pakistani-made footballs to shine at Doha World Cup

Pakistan’s national football team is 200th out of 211 teams in the FIFA world rankings, but the country’s more than 200 million people will still be feeling part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals to be played in Doha this winter.

Together with China, Pakistan is supplying the footballs to be used in the forthcoming mega event, which this time will be held in the winter instead of the summer due to the hot weather in the Qatari capital.

"We have once again been chosen to supply footballs for the World Cup, which is an honour for us and a testimony of the quality we have maintained," said Khawaja Masood Akhtar, the chairman of Forward Sports, a contracting manufacturer of global sports brand Adidas.

Nestled on the outskirts of Sialkot, workers at the company's sprawling facility are working extra hours to ensure on-time delivery of the footballs.

The city, which borders India, has been famous for producing the finest quality sports goods and has been supplying footballs for mega-events for years.

Production of high-quality footballs is not Sialkot's only forte. It also exports sports goods ranging from cricket bats to hockey sticks and from shining (cricket and hockey) balls to other accessories like kits, shoes, and gloves.

The country earns $1 billion annually from sports goods exports, including $350 million to $500 million from footballs alone.

Declining to give the exact number of footballs the company will supply for the World Cup due to restrictions from Adidas, Akhtar said it would be "not in thousands but millions."

Environmentally friendly match balls
Named “Al-Rihla”, Arabic for "The Journey", the official match ball for the 2022 World Cup was unveiled in March by Adidas in Doha.

Forward Sports, which also makes footballs for the German Bundesliga, the French league, and the Champions League, was also the official football provider of the 2014 and 2018 World Cups in Brazil and Russia.

The balls to be used in the forthcoming tournament are technically termed "thermo bonded”, which was first introduced in the 2014 World Cup.

Before that, Pakistan had supplied hand-stitched footballs for most of the World Cups from the 1990s to 2010.

Other types of footballs produced in Sialkot are "glued" and "hand-stitched".

Thermo bonded balls are made by attaching the panels through heat — the latest technology adopted by Adidas and transferred to Forward Sports in 2013. There are no stitches.

"We have made some changes in (the design of) footballs this time, keeping Qatar's culture, environment, architecture, and flag in mind," Akhtar said.

"And it will be environment-friendly," he said, adding that for the first time, only water-based inks and glues have been used in the making of the footballs.

Soaring inflation and energy tariffs combined with rising labour costs have not turned out to be a problem for Akhtar.

"Everything is running smoothly, as we chalked out our plans, keeping all these factors in mind. In fact, we have hired some additional labour to ensure on-time deliveries," he said.

Football in cricket-frenzy Pakistan
Football is a popular sport in otherwise cricket-obsessed Pakistan, particularly in rural areas. Yet the national team is ranked 200th in the FIFA World Rankings.

Lacking glamour and government funding while having to deal with intra-federation schisms and land-grabbing petty mafia who have been sweeping up sports grounds, football in Pakistan has gradually declined from its rank as fourth on the Asian continent in the 1960s.

Straddling the edge of the Arabian Sea, Lyari, a small shantytown in Karachi, is known as "mini Brazil" among football fans for the talented football players that this run-down locality has produced over the decades.

The area has over the last 74 years produced a large number of players who have won many titles for the country, especially between the 1950s and 1960s, known as the golden era of Pakistan's national football team.

In April last year, FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation's membership for six months, citing a hostile takeover of the federation's head office by a rival group.

The action was taken when the group refused to vacate the office and hand it over to a FIFA-approved group.

The membership, nonetheless, was restored by FIFA after a period of over a year on Thursday.

Dawn News
 
Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar
Qatar's opening Group A game against Ecuador was originally scheduled for Monday, 21 November at the Al Bayt Stadium
The World Cup is set to start one day earlier than planned on Sunday, 20 November with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador.

The Group A opener was due to be played on 21 November at 16:00 GMT, as the third match of the competition.

The opening match of the tournament was to be Senegal against the Netherlands at 10:00, earlier on the Monday.

However, the administrative arm of world governing body Fifa has submitted a proposal to move the Qatar game.

It followed discussions with Qatar and their opponents Ecuador, after receiving a request from the South American confederation Conmebol.

It fits in with the tradition of either the hosts or the holders being involved in the opening match.

The final decision will be made by the bureau of the Fifa council, which comprises the six confederation presidents, plus Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

If it is approved as expected, it would not change the release dates for players, and Senegal against the Netherlands would be switched to 16:00 on the Monday, given only three games would be played instead of the present four.

England's Group B match with Iran, which is being played at 13:00 on 21 November, would be unaffected, as would Wales' opening match against the United States of America at 21:00 on the same date.
 
Zurich (Switzerland): A total of 2.45 million tickets have been sold so far for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, set to be held in Qatar, the world soccer governing body said on Thursday. As per FIFA, in the last sales period, which ran from July 5 to August 16, a total of 520,532 tickets were sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The biggest number of allocated tickets were for group stage matches like Cameroon v Brazil, Brazil v Serbia, Portugal v Uruguay, Costa Rica v Germany and Australia v Denmark. “Fans living in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Mexico, the UAE, England, Argentina, Brazil, Wales and Australia led the way and the digital queues by securing the biggest number of tickets,” FIFA said.

Meanwhile, the launch date for the next sales phase will be announced in late September. Over-the-counter sales will also start in Doha after the launch of the last-minute sales phase. The 64-game tournament begins a day earlier than originally scheduled with the opening ceremony taking place before the host nation kicks off the tournament on November 20 against Ecuador. Notably, it will be the first World Cup staged in the Middle East and Arab.
 
The fundamental problem this time is that there is nowhere near enough accommodation, so what accommodation there is has been block-booked by FIFA and major travel agencies and is vastly overpriced.

I attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2012 Olympic Football in London and the 2016 Copa America final in New Jersey.

Each of those could be done to some semblance of a budget because you could get nice accommodation in a convenient location for roughly $400 per night.

I looked into going to this World Cup, and by and large you are looking at having to buy at least 10 nights' accommodation at $1500 per night.

So it's barely feasible.
 
Qatar has deported migrant workers who protested about unpaid wages, as the country prepares for the football World Cup in November.

At least 60 workers rallied outside Al Bandary International Group's Doha offices on 14 August - some reportedly had not been paid for seven months.

A number of protesters were detained and some were deported, although it's not known how many.

The government said those who were deported had "breached security laws".

Since Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010 - sparking a wave of construction of stadiums and infrastructure across the country - its treatment of migrant workers has been questioned.

The Al Bandary International Group company is predominantly a construction and engineering company.

It is not known whether the workers were involved in the World Cup preparations, and the organising committee declined to comment.

But in a statement to the BBC, the Qatari government confirmed that a number of workers who took part in the rare protest in Doha had been detained for breaching public security laws.

It is understood that a minority of those "who failed to remain peaceful" face deportation, and rights groups say some have already left the country.

The Qatari government said it would pay all delayed salaries and benefits to the affected workers.

The government said the Al Bandary group was already under investigation for not paying its workers, and further action is being taken after a deadline to settle payments had been missed.

The workers' case was highlighted by Equidem, a human rights organisation specialising in labour rights.

Its head, Mustafa Qadri, told the BBC: "Have we all been duped by Qatar and FIFA?

"They've been telling us there's no moral quandary about holding the World Cup in Qatar, in a country which still punishes people for speaking their minds."

The workers who protested were from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Egypt and the Philippines, according to Mr Qadri.

Mr Qadri - who has been in touch with several of workers - said some police officers told the protesters that, if they can strike in hot weather, they can sleep without air conditioning, too.

"Can you imagine how desperate the workers must have been to protest in 42 degrees? They aren't political actors, they just want to be paid for their labour," Mr Qadri added.

Earlier this year, BBC Arabic reported allegations that Qatar is under-reporting the number of migrant workers who have died of heat stroke.

FIFA, the organisation for international football, was earlier this year urged to set up a compensation fund of at least $440m (£350m) for migrant workers who have suffered "human rights abuses"

A spokesperson for the government's World Cup organising committee declined to comment on the Al Bandary protest. The Al Bandary group did not respond to a request for comment.

The Qatari government said 96% of eligible workers in Qatar are covered by a wage protection system, which obliges employers to transfer all wages through Qatari banks within seven days of their due date, and that gaps in the system were being identified.

BBC
 
More controversy for the Qatar World Cup it seems.
 
Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match, a source with knowledge of plans for the tournament said.

Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament, will serve beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each stadium, but not in the stadium stands or concourse, the source said.

This year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organisers of an event sponsored by a major beer brand and often associated with beer-drinking fans. “Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle,” the source said.

Additionally, Budweiser will be permitted to serve beer in part of the main FIFA fan zone in central Doha from 6:30pm to 1:00am every day of the 29-day tournament, which kicks off on Nov 20, the source said.

At previous World Cup tournaments, beer was served in fan zones all day long.

The decision about where and when beer will be sold to fans is now finalised, but the price fans will be charged for a beer is still under discussion, the source said.

“We are working closely with FIFA, which is managing the relationship with the Qatari authorities, to ensure our activations for the tournament are executed respectfully and in compliance with local rules and regulations,” a spokesperson for Budweiser brewer AB InBev said in an emailed statement.

Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, did not respond to requests for comment about the World Cup controls on alcohol. Qatar’s government media office directed requests to the Supreme Committee.

There are four matches scheduled on most days of the tournament’s group stage, with the earliest match kicking off at 1pm.

It was not immediately clear how Qatar will handle beer sales ahead of the 1pm Wales and Iran game on Friday Nov 25, when most Muslims in Qatar will be gathering at mosques for the weekly congregational prayer.

Qatar currently requires most shops and restaurants in the country to close during Friday prayers.

Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year’s World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010. While not a “dry” state like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar.

Visitors cannot bring alcohol into Qatar, even from airport duty free, and they cannot buy alcohol at the country’s only liquor store, on the outskirts of Doha. Only foreign residents with permits can shop there for home consumption.

Visitors can drink at a few dozen licensed hotels and clubs, where a pint of beer can cost $18.

Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer, Budweiser Zero, in stadium concourses and stands during games and at other fan sites, the source said.

“We always respect the local customs and culture in the markets in which we operate or host events,” a spokesperson for AB InBev said in an emailed statement.

“Our promotion and activation of Budweiser Zero during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will target the international guests coming to enjoy and celebrate football at the fan sites.”

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2022
 
<b>Several human rights groups have called for the sponsors of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar to provide “compensation and other remedies to migrant workers”.</b>

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and FairSquare argue the redress is needed due to “death or injury, wage theft, and debt from illegal recruitment fees while preparing the tournament”.

Four sponsors have subsequently stated their support for compensation, with another 10 offering no public comment.

While some compensation schemes do exist, activists want them to include historical abuses.

The construction of seven new stadiums for the World Cup has come at a human cost, with workers from countries including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka exploited, injured and, in the worst cases, losing their lives.

Human Rights Watch claim that around 39 migrant workers will have died for each predicted goal at the World Cup.

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, tasked with staging the World Cup, has railed against the suggestion that thousands have lost their lives, calling such estimates “wildly misleading” and insisting the true data is “on par with wider demographics globally”.

The human rights groups contacted FIFA’s 14 corporate partners and sponsors, asking them to pressure FIFA to remedy the alleged abuses.

Four of these — Budweiser, Adidas, Coca-Cola, and McDonalds — stated their support for compensation. The other ten — Visa, Hyundai-Kia, Wanda Group, Qatar Energy, Qatar Airways, Vivo, Hisense, Mengniu, Crypto, and BJYU’S — have offered no public support.

A YouGov survey of 17,477 adults across 15 countries, commissioned by Amnesty, has shown that 72 per cent of World Cup viewers believe sponsors should remedy abuses.

(The Athletic)
 
<b>Qatar’s World Cup security operation will be bolstered by civilians enrolled on mandatory military service and diplomats brought back from overseas.</b>

Some people who previously completed national service are being recalled for further work around the FIFA showpiece event that starts on November 20, officials in Doha said.

The conscripts are training to manage stadium security queues, frisk fans and detect alcohol, drugs or weapons concealed in ponytails, jacket linings or even fake bellies, Reuters news agency cited training materials as saying.

The civilians were told it was their "patriotic duty" to help, a source said.

"Most people are there because they have to be - they don't want to get in trouble."

They are being taught to approach fans with "positive body language, focus and a smile," the source continued, and avoid discriminating against fans on any basis.

The current group of civilians are on four months paid leave from their jobs at key Qatari institutions like state-owned QatarEnergy and the foreign ministry, according to the source.

Qatar is following the strategy of using conscripts that has been deployed on previous major events, including the 2019 world athletics champions.

A Qatari government official told Sky News:

"Qatar's national service program will continue as normal during the World Cup. Recruits completing their mandatory service will be supported by a small number of temporary recalls. This is standard practice, and happens every year during major public events such as the National Day celebrations."

The diplomats have been brought back from the US, China and Russia, and are expected to return to their posts after the World Cup, the source added.

With a population of fewer than three million - of which just 380,000 are Qatari nationals - Qatar faces a shortage of personnel as it gears up for the FIFA tournament from 20 November to 18 December.

Qatar, which is widely considered to be close to an absolute monarchy ruled by the Al Thani family, is accused of having an appalling human rights record in the run-up to the tournament.

Amnesty International says exploitation and abuse of migrant workers has been "rampant", with people exposed to forced labour, unpaid wages and excessive working hours.

Since 2014, Qatari men aged between 18 and 35 have trained with the military for at least four months as part of mandatory national service. Diplomats abroad have been able to defer their service.

Anyone who fails to sign up faces a year in prison and a fine of 50,000 Qatari riyals (£12,700).

Last week, Turkey agreed to supply more than 3,000 riot police to help beef-up security at stadiums and hotels.

Under the agreement, Ankara will also deploy 100 special operations police to Qatar, along with 50 bomb specialists and 80 sniffer dogs and riot dogs.

Last month, Pakistan's cabinet approved a draft agreement allowing the government to offer troops for security at the tournament.

It did not say how many personnel would be sent, and there has been no confirmation from either country that a final agreement has been reached.

https://news.sky.com/story/qatar-co...rld-cup-security-12706263?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter
 
World Cup 2022: Denmark to wear 'toned down' jerseys in protest at hosts Qatar

Denmark will wear "toned down" shirts for the World Cup to protest against host Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.

Kit provider Hummel has also designed a third, all-black kit, to represent the "colour of mourning".

Hummel said it "does not wish to be visible" in a tournament it claims "has cost thousands of lives".

"We support the Danish national team but that isn't the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation," it said.

As part of the design, the Denmark badge is also "toned down". Their playing kit will be a plain red home shirt and an all-white second kit.

Denmark's training kit sponsors will also withdraw their logos to give room for messages critical of Qatar.

Qatar officials have previously disputed the figures on the death of migrant workers working on World Cup facilities, saying the actual total figure at the time in 2021 was 37.

Hummel said: "We wish to make a statement about Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of the migrant workers that have built the country's World Cup stadiums.

"We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it doesn't, we want to make a statement."

However, the Qatar 2022 supreme committee, which organises the tournament, disputed Hummel's claims about the deaths of migrant workers.

"We have engaged in robust and transparent dialogue with the Danish Football Association (DBU)," a statement said.

"We wholeheartedly reject the trivialising of our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built stadiums and other tournament projects.

"We have worked diligently alongside the Qatari government to ensure that the tournament delivers a lasting social legacy."

The committee also urged the DBU to "accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the [committee]" to Hummel.

BBC Sport has approached Fifa for comment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63066393
 
Firebat said:
World Cup 2022: Denmark to wear 'toned down' jerseys in protest at hosts Qatar

Denmark will wear "toned down" shirts for the World Cup to protest against host Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.

Kit provider Hummel has also designed a third, all-black kit, to represent the "colour of mourning".

Hummel said it "does not wish to be visible" in a tournament it claims "has cost thousands of lives".

"We support the Danish national team but that isn't the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation," it said.

As part of the design, the Denmark badge is also "toned down". Their playing kit will be a plain red home shirt and an all-white second kit.

Denmark's training kit sponsors will also withdraw their logos to give room for messages critical of Qatar.

Qatar officials have previously disputed the figures on the death of migrant workers working on World Cup facilities, saying the actual total figure at the time in 2021 was 37.

Hummel said: "We wish to make a statement about Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of the migrant workers that have built the country's World Cup stadiums.

"We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it doesn't, we want to make a statement."

However, the Qatar 2022 supreme committee, which organises the tournament, disputed Hummel's claims about the deaths of migrant workers.

"We have engaged in robust and transparent dialogue with the Danish Football Association (DBU)," a statement said.

"We wholeheartedly reject the trivialising of our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built stadiums and other tournament projects.

"We have worked diligently alongside the Qatari government to ensure that the tournament delivers a lasting social legacy."

The committee also urged the DBU to "accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the [committee]" to Hummel.

BBC Sport has approached Fifa for comment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63066393
Click to expand...

Denmark should be kicked out of the World Cup and replaced with Italy.

Causing drama for no reason.
 
<b>Australia has become the first team to release a group statement criticising Qatar for its poor human rights record.</b>

<I>World Cup host Qatar has faced accusations over its treatment of migrant workers, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its poor human rights record.

The Qataris have responded to the Australian video by saying "No country is perfect, and every country... has its challenges".</I>

Addressing the issue in a video, 16 players, including ex-Arsenal and Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan, took aim at the host nation's treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.

"There are universal values that should define football. Values such as respect, dignity, trust and courage," skipper Ryan said.

"When we represent our nation, we aspire to embody these values."

Qatar has been criticised for its treatment of migrant workers, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its poor human rights record since it was awarded this winter's finals back in 2010.

The organising committee of the tournament told Sky News that "no country is perfect" but that "protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup" was its priority.

In the Socceroos clip, several players, including Jackson Irvine, Bailey Wright, and Jamie Maclaren, along with the president of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) union, Alex Wilkinson, took turns to make a brief statement.

They acknowledged that conditions have improved for workers in the Gulf state, but noted the implementation of reforms "remain inconsistent and requires improvement".

The kafala system – which regulated the lives of migrant labourers and allowed employers to take workers' passports and stop them leaving the country – has been partially dismantled over the past few years.

"We have learned that the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has resulted in the suffering and harm of countless of our fellow workers," said midfielder Jackson Irvine.

"These migrant workers who have suffered are not just numbers," added Mr Wilkinson.

"Like the migrants that have shaped our country and our football, they possess the same courage and determination to build a better life.”

The team said it is working with several organisations to "establish a lasting legacy in Qatar" and called for the country to set up a migrant resource centre.

It also called for the decriminalisation of all same-sex relationships and "effective remedy" for those who have been denied their rights to help improve the situation in the country.

"These are the basic rights that should be afforded to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar," the team stressed.

"This is how we can ensure a legacy that goes well beyond the final whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

One of the most high-profile footballers to tell the world he is gay is Australian Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United.

Earlier this month, the former England striker Gary Lineker said he knows two gay Premier League players and he hopes they will come out during the World Cup to send a strong message Qatar.

Lineker was one of the key figures who led criticism of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday, after he suggested LGBT football fans heading to the country should be "respectful of the host nation".

Mr Cleverly urged fans to show "a little bit of flex and compromise" and to "respect the culture of your host nation", before Downing Street distanced itself from his comments.

Lineker wrote: "Whatever you do, don't do anything gay. Is that the message?"

Australia will play the defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.

When approached by Sky News, a spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said: ''We commend footballers using their platforms to raise awareness for important matters.

"We have committed every effort to ensuring that this World Cup has had a transformative impact on improving lives, especially for those involved in constructing the competition and non-competition venues we're responsible for.

"Protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup is our priority.

"This is achieved through our commitment to holding contractors accountable via our worker welfare standards, continuous work on enhancing health and safety practices, creating and developing worker representation forums in collaboration with international unions and experts, robust auditing that includes an independent third party monitor, working with contractors to ensure workers who paid recruitment fees are entitled to repayment, and ensuring that these policies lead to a change in work culture that lasts far beyond 2022.

"The Qatari government's labour reforms are acknowledged by the ILO, ITUC, and numerous human rights organisations as the benchmark in the region. New laws and reforms often take time to bed in, and robust implementation of labour laws is a global challenge, including in Australia.

"No country is perfect, and every country - hosts of major events or not - has its challenges.

"This World Cup has contributed to a legacy of progress, better practice, and improving lives - and it's a legacy that will live long after the final ball is kicked.''

https://news.sky.com/story/australi...criticise-qatars-human-rights-record-12731174
 
Jeez. Israels human right records are the worst ive seen, yet the hypocrites from uefa, and Fifa mske sure their well looked after.
 
James said:
<b>Australia has become the first team to release a group statement criticising Qatar for its poor human rights record.</b>

<I>World Cup host Qatar has faced accusations over its treatment of migrant workers, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its poor human rights record.

The Qataris have responded to the Australian video by saying "No country is perfect, and every country... has its challenges".</I>

Addressing the issue in a video, 16 players, including ex-Arsenal and Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan, took aim at the host nation's treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.

"There are universal values that should define football. Values such as respect, dignity, trust and courage," skipper Ryan said.

"When we represent our nation, we aspire to embody these values."

Qatar has been criticised for its treatment of migrant workers, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its poor human rights record since it was awarded this winter's finals back in 2010.

The organising committee of the tournament told Sky News that "no country is perfect" but that "protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup" was its priority.

In the Socceroos clip, several players, including Jackson Irvine, Bailey Wright, and Jamie Maclaren, along with the president of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) union, Alex Wilkinson, took turns to make a brief statement.

They acknowledged that conditions have improved for workers in the Gulf state, but noted the implementation of reforms "remain inconsistent and requires improvement".

The kafala system – which regulated the lives of migrant labourers and allowed employers to take workers' passports and stop them leaving the country – has been partially dismantled over the past few years.

"We have learned that the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has resulted in the suffering and harm of countless of our fellow workers," said midfielder Jackson Irvine.

"These migrant workers who have suffered are not just numbers," added Mr Wilkinson.

"Like the migrants that have shaped our country and our football, they possess the same courage and determination to build a better life.”

The team said it is working with several organisations to "establish a lasting legacy in Qatar" and called for the country to set up a migrant resource centre.

It also called for the decriminalisation of all same-sex relationships and "effective remedy" for those who have been denied their rights to help improve the situation in the country.

"These are the basic rights that should be afforded to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar," the team stressed.

"This is how we can ensure a legacy that goes well beyond the final whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

One of the most high-profile footballers to tell the world he is gay is Australian Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United.

Earlier this month, the former England striker Gary Lineker said he knows two gay Premier League players and he hopes they will come out during the World Cup to send a strong message Qatar.

Lineker was one of the key figures who led criticism of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday, after he suggested LGBT football fans heading to the country should be "respectful of the host nation".

Mr Cleverly urged fans to show "a little bit of flex and compromise" and to "respect the culture of your host nation", before Downing Street distanced itself from his comments.

Lineker wrote: "Whatever you do, don't do anything gay. Is that the message?"

Australia will play the defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.

When approached by Sky News, a spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said: ''We commend footballers using their platforms to raise awareness for important matters.

"We have committed every effort to ensuring that this World Cup has had a transformative impact on improving lives, especially for those involved in constructing the competition and non-competition venues we're responsible for.

"Protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup is our priority.

"This is achieved through our commitment to holding contractors accountable via our worker welfare standards, continuous work on enhancing health and safety practices, creating and developing worker representation forums in collaboration with international unions and experts, robust auditing that includes an independent third party monitor, working with contractors to ensure workers who paid recruitment fees are entitled to repayment, and ensuring that these policies lead to a change in work culture that lasts far beyond 2022.

"The Qatari government's labour reforms are acknowledged by the ILO, ITUC, and numerous human rights organisations as the benchmark in the region. New laws and reforms often take time to bed in, and robust implementation of labour laws is a global challenge, including in Australia.

"No country is perfect, and every country - hosts of major events or not - has its challenges.

"This World Cup has contributed to a legacy of progress, better practice, and improving lives - and it's a legacy that will live long after the final ball is kicked.''

https://news.sky.com/story/australi...criticise-qatars-human-rights-record-12731174
Click to expand...

LGBTQ movement is unlikely to be accepted in Asia, South America, and Africa. It is what it is.

Australia is causing drama for no reason.
 
JaDed said:
What about the migrant worker issue?
Click to expand...

That is wrong (if the allegations are true).

In that case, Qatari government should reimburse and apologize.

But, LGBTQ issue is really a non-issue in that part of the world. Australia shouldn't cause drama for no reason.
 
Last edited:
sweep_shot said:
LGBTQ movement is unlikely to be accepted in Asia, South America, and Africa. It is what it is.

Australia is causing drama for no reason.
Click to expand...

Same sex marriage is legal in South America and many parts of Asia. Its mostly in the Muslim countries where it is still a crime.
 
Heisenberg111 said:
Same sex marriage is legal in South America and many parts of Asia. Its mostly in the Muslim countries where it is still a crime.
Click to expand...

There's a difference between being legal and being accepted in society.

As far as I know, LGBTQ lifestyle is not widely accepted in South America. Here are some articles:

https://www.reuters.com/article/ecuador-lgbt-rights-idUSL8N1P03QO
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-24720352
https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/10/...iscrimination-against-lgbt-people-el-salvador
https://www.thedialogue.org/analysi...-for-every-young-person-interested-in-change/
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/world/americas/brazil-anti-gay-violence.html.
 
These western countries love to impose their values on non western countries. If these countries and their players feel so strongly about the LGBTQ rights, then boycott the tournament. Don’t go to Qatar, but of course, they won’t do that.
 
Three Pakistani firemen die in Doha accident before World Cup
Accounts given by friends say they were on a crane that collapsed

DOHA:
Three Pakistani firemen died in a training accident in the Qatari capital weeks before the start of the World Cup, officials said Thursday.

Authorities said the three were taking part in a multi-national World Cup security exercise currently being held around Doha that includes simulations of "chemical incidents" and demonstrations.

Officials did not give details of the accident late Wednesday but accounts given by friends of the three and posted on social media said they were on a crane that collapsed in Doha's Hamad port.

Photographs accompanying the posts showed the crumpled crane. AFP could not immediately verify the pictures.

Fifteen foreign governments including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Palestinian territories have sent security forces and experts for the Watan exercise that ends Thursday.

Exercises have included fighter jet drills, a chemical attack on a stadium and handling demonstrations.

Turkey has sent about 3,000 police to reinforce Qatar's domestic force during the World Cup that starts November 20 and ends December 18. Morocco and Pakistan will also reportedly send police reinforcements.

Some diplomats have questioned whether the foreign police have had proper training on handling the one million fans predicted to come to Qatar for the games.

Qatar's Safety and Security Operations Committee said the exercises had shown "the capabilities, readiness, and determination of the military forces and civil authorities to deal with all scenarios".

General Michael Kurilla, head of the US Central Command that manages US forces across the Middle East, was in Qatar for the start of the exercises.

"Kurilla expressed confidence in Qatar's ability to ensure a safe and secure World Cup next month," said a Central Command statement.

Express Tribune
 
James said:
Why replaced with Italy ?
Click to expand...

Italy is a 4-time world champion. They are the current Euro champion too and are a much better team than most teams participating in this world cup (including Denmark).

Replacement is unlikely to happen. I was just saying.
 
sweep_shot said:
There's a difference between being legal and being accepted in society.

As far as I know, LGBTQ lifestyle is not widely accepted in South America. Here are some articles:

https://www.reuters.com/article/ecuador-lgbt-rights-idUSL8N1P03QO
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-24720352
https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/10/...iscrimination-against-lgbt-people-el-salvador
https://www.thedialogue.org/analysi...-for-every-young-person-interested-in-change/
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/world/americas/brazil-anti-gay-violence.html.
Click to expand...

I have read several polls about attitudes to homosexuality in Latin America and they all indicate an increasing acceptance of homosexuality across much of the continent.

Anyways my point was that same sex marriage is legal in most parts of the world even in India they decriminalized homosexuality in 2018. Although, its illegal in around 72 countries of the world, of which most are Muslim majority.
 
sweep_shot said:
Italy is a 4-time world champion. They are the current Euro champion too and are a much better team than most teams participating in this world cup (including Denmark).

Replacement is unlikely to happen. I was just saying.
Click to expand...

Ok.

My opinion — Italy didn’t qualify for this one, so they haven’t earned their place. Each tournament is new. Nobody has a right to be in a future tournament because of past achievements.
 
Qatar has emptied apartment blocks housing thousands of foreign workers in the same areas in the centre of the capital Doha where visiting soccer fans will stay during the World Cup, workers who were evicted from their homes told Reuters.

They said more than a dozen buildings had been evacuated and shut down by authorities, forcing the mainly Asian and African workers to seek what shelter they could - including bedding down on the pavement outside one of their former homes.

The move comes less than four weeks before the Nov. 20 start of the global soccer tournament which has drawn intense international scrutiny of Qatar's treatment of foreign workers and its restrictive social laws.

At one building which residents said housed 1,200 people in Doha's Al Mansoura district, authorities told people at about 8 pm on Wednesday they had just two hours to leave.

Municipal officials returned around 10.30 pm, forced everyone out and locked the doors to the building, they said. Some men had not been able to return in time to collect their belongings.

"We don't have anywhere to go," one man told Reuters the next day as he prepared to sleep out for a second night with around 10 other men, some of them shirtless in the autumn heat and humidity of the Gulf Arab state.

He, and most other workers who spoke to Reuters, declined to give their names or personal details for fear of reprisals from the authorities or employers.

Nearby, five men were loading a mattress and a small fridge into the back of a pickup truck. They said they had found a room in Sumaysimah, about 40 km (25 miles) north of Doha.

A Qatari government official said the evictions are unrelated to the World Cup and were designed "in line with ongoing comprehensive and long-term plans to re-organise areas of Doha."

"All have since been rehoused in safe and appropriate accommodation," the official said, adding that requests to vacate "would have been conducted with proper notice."

World soccer's governing body FIFA did not respond to a request for comment and Qatar's World Cup organisers directed inquiries to the government.

"DELIBERATE GHETTO-ISATION"

Around 85% of Qatar's three million population are foreign workers. Many of those evicted work as drivers, day labourers or have contracts with companies but are responsible for their own accommodation - unlike those working for major construction firms who live in camps housing tens of thousands of people.

One worker said the evictions targeted single men, while foreign workers with families were unaffected.

A Reuters reporter saw more than a dozen buildings where residents said people had been evicted. Some buildings had their electricity switched off.

Most were in neighbourhoods where the government has rented buildings for World Cup fan accommodation. The organisers' website lists buildings in Al Mansoura and other districts where flats are advertised for between $240 and $426 per night.

The Qatari official said municipal authorities have been enforcing a 2010 Qatari law which prohibits "workers' camps within family residential areas" - a designation encompassing most of central Doha - and gives them the power to move people out.

Some of the evicted workers said they hoped to find places to live amid purpose-built workers' accommodation in and around the industrial zone on Doha's southwestern outskirts or in outlying cities, a long commute from their jobs.

The evictions "keep Qatar's glitzy and wealthy facade in place without publicly acknowledging the cheap labour that makes it possible," said Vani Saraswathi, Director of Projects at Migrant-Rights.org, which campaigns for foreign workers in the Middle East.

"This is deliberate ghetto-isation at the best of times. But evictions with barely any notice are inhumane beyond comprehension."

Some workers said they had experienced serial evictions.

One said he was forced to change buildings in Al Mansoura at the end of September, only to be moved on 11 days later with no prior notice, along with some 400 others. "In one minute, we had to move," he said.

Mohammed, a driver from Bangladesh, said he had lived in the same neighbourhood for 14 years until Wednesday, when the municipality told him he had 48 hours to leave the villa he shared with 38 other people.

He said labourers who built up the infrastructure for Qatar to host the World Cup were being pushed aside as the tournament approaches.

"Who made the stadiums? Who made the roads? Who made everything? Bengalis, Pakistanis. People like us. Now they are making us all go outside."

Express Tribune
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senegal's Sadio Mane has just gone off injured for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen 👀<br><br>The World Cup starts in 12 days...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCupQatar2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCupQatar2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/IEqCRPnW9i">pic.twitter.com/IEqCRPnW9i</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1590072653536440321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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