Five reasons why Qatar is the strangest World Cup in history

The most controversial World Cup in history is about to be held.
“It was a bad choice.” That was Sepp Blatter’s statement last week, speaking on a live Radio 5 podcast about FIFA’s decision in 2010 to award the World Cup to Qatar.

The president of FIFA at that time was, of course, Blatter himself. It is difficult to gauge how much the former football boss regrets his decision. But honestly, it doesn’t matter one bit now. Because in a few days the biggest sporting event on earth will take place in a state on the Arabian Peninsula whose 4,400 square miles are mostly made up of barren desert.

From the shocking deaths of migrant workers building the stadium and the appalling human rights record in the region; سایت شرط بندی There are points that question the history of world football for holding such a big tournament in one of the warmest and smallest countries in the world, and Qatar will definitely be remembered as the most controversial hosts in the history of the World Cup forever.

In fact, it can be said that Qatar was a very, very bad choice!

hot hot hot

The World Cup is held in alternate summers. This is the way it has always been. This is the way it should always be. Except this year, with Qatar’s extreme heat, it has been impossible to host matches in June and July. Even in the height of winter, the temperature imposed on the players is expected to be around 26 degrees Celsius. Something that seems a bit distant for football friends now, but if you are old, you can remember the World Cup in 1994 in the United States or Mexico in 1970 by watching Qatar’s games.

One season with two half seasons

Imagine you have followed fourteen fascinating games in the Premier League of the island in a season when Arsenal reigns at the top and City is looking for him and Liverpool is going through the darkest days of their last several seasons, suddenly everything stops. You have to go to the World Cup and see Let’s play games in a space with a lot of sand. Maybe Boxing Day can save the English Premier League, but what will happen to the other attractive European leagues?! To be honest, our football fans’ brains are not used to seeing a football series three times!

Politics, ethics and human rights

According to the Guardian, more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since the Games were held in 2010, with many deaths directly linked to the infrastructure needed to host the event. Abominable working conditions – including forced labor – and sweltering heat are said to be the main cause.

As for the country itself, a recent report by Human Rights Watch states that arresting gay and transgender citizens and sometimes forcing them to undergo gender reassignment surgery is what Qatari security forces do. Qatar is a country that observes strict Muslim laws, some of which are very contrary to Western thinking.

Now, the Australian team has released a video criticizing human rights in Qatar, the Hummel brand has produced its World Cup shirts in a way that won’t be seen, and nine European captains are expected to wear ‘OneLove’ armbands to raise awareness about gender discrimination. to close

It is surprisingly rare for politics to enter the World Cup arena. Something that is well seen in both the Olympics and the Oscars.

Fan experience

Forget for a moment the very familiar images of plastic chairs being thrown into the field and fireworks behind the gates. Yes, there will be no hooligans in Qatar, and this will not be a bad thing at least. But for the vast majority of soccer fans who enjoy traveling to a new country and cheering on their team at this year’s World Cup, it will be a disappointing experience. So when a country scores a goal, don’t expect to see a lot of fanfare in the stands.

Betting of any kind is illegal in Qatar, so don’t rely too much on teams’ strikers to score. Qatar’s strict alcohol laws mean that drinking in public and being drunk in public is illegal and a criminal offence. Therefore, beer will not be served inside the stadium.

The distance is the size of a shout

One of the strangest aspects of this World Cup is the proximity of all the stadiums, which is the reason for the small size of Qatar. Whereas four years ago teams traversed Russia’s vast steppes and cities, here all the action takes place within a shouting distance. You don’t have to worry about getting lost in Doha, you will find your friends again with a simple call wherever they are in Qatar!