In 2010 when soccer's ruling body, FIFA, granted Russia and Qatar the right to host consecutive World Cups, there was controversy. With Russia hosting the global event in 2018, Qatar remained ready to answer the question that has followed since 2010: Should Qatar be hosting the World Cup?

Qatar is a small Arab nation of 3 million people, with very little traditional Soccer pedigree. In the summer, temperatures in Qatar regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making soccer unbearable to play outdoors. Qatar has a muddled record regarding homosexuality and has been accused of mistreating foreign workers.

The weather in Qatar grows so hot that FIFA made the decision to abandon the World Cup's usual summer slot, instead scheduling the games from November to December. This change had outsized consequences, as many professional soccer leagues run during this time, forcing seasons to be put on hold for up to six weeks.

Many foreign players in professional leagues join their international squads during the World Cup, and domestic leagues would not be able to survive without the influx of international talent.

FIFA has long been riddled with corruption, with dozens of senior officials being indicted in 2015 along with claims they accepted bribes from Russia and Qatar in exchange for the right to host their own World Cups.

A report from the New York Times shows that representatives from several FIFA-member countries received money from both Russia and Qatar to vote for them as host nations. Three South American officials took payments from Qatar in exchange for their vote, according to an indictment from the U.S. Justice Department.

Many reports claim Qatar has spent in excess of $200 billion in preparation for hosting the World Cup, ushering in over 30,000 workers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the Philippines. These workers have helped build seven stadiums for the World Cup finals, as well as a new airport, metro system, series of roads, and about 100 new hotels.

A 2021 report from the Guardian said 6,500 migrant workers died in Qatar since it won its World Cup bid. Qatar denied the claims, arguing that many of the workers counted in that report had not directly worked on World Cup infrastructure, and could have been elderly migrants residing in the country.

Through its accident records, Qatar claimed that between 2014 and 2020 there were 37 deaths among laborers at World Cup stadium construction sites, only three of which were "work-related".

In 2016, Amnesty International, a human rights group, accused Qatari companies of using forced labor and failing to investigate migrant worker deaths. This enhanced spotlight on Qatar has also brought attention to the "kafala" system many Gulf nations employ, under which workers require their employer's permission to switch jobs, return home or even open a bank account.

Qatar has also been criticized for its stances on homosexuality, which is officially illegal in the country. According to HumanDignityTrust, an LGBTQ rights organization, there is limited evidence to suggest the law prohibiting homosexuality is often enforced.

A Washington Post report claimed a senior official responsible for security during the World Cup did warn that rainbow flags could be taken away from fans to protect them from being attacked.

Following threats of boycott or protests from fans and players, FIFA issued a letter to all competing teams telling them to "focus on the football."

The letter, seen by the BBC, goes on to say: "We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world. But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

Qatar is expected to bring $17 billion to its economy from the World Cup, which FIFA claims over "half the world" watched in 2018. The 2018 final between France and Croatia was watched by a combined 1.12 billion viewers worldwide, guaranteeing eyes on the Middle Eastern nation.

Hoping to become a tourist destination like its regional neighbor Dubai, Qatar has quickly modernized for the World Cup, resting its future on the pitch.

Soccer