• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

World Cup Puts Qatar’s Human Rights Abuses in Spotlight

  • Security forces in Qatar reportedly arbitrarily arrested and abused LGBT Qataris as recently as last month.
  • The tournament runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
World-Cup
FIFA

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is less than four weeks out, and the country’s alleged human rights abuses remain at the forefront of the discussion.

On Monday, Human Rights Watch reported that as recently as last month, security forces in the country — where homosexuality is illegal — arbitrarily arrested and abused Qataris in the LGBT community, according to Reuters. Six reported being detained between 2019 and 2022.

A Qatari official claimed that the allegations “contain information that is categorically and unequivocally false.”

Organizers of the tournament, which runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, have retained their stance that everyone is welcome, though they also warned against public displays of affection. 

The country expects 1.2 million foreign visitors during the World Cup. 

Protest Plans

FIFA prohibits teams from wearing their own armband designs at the World Cup, but England will reportedly wear the “OneLove” anti-discrimination armband regardless of the rules and is ready to face punishment for doing so.

Manufacturer Hummel has designed Denmark’s kits with the logos barely visible, protesting Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers who have built the World Cup stadiums, including an all-black kit, which signifies the “color of mourning.” 

  • Previous reports claimed that more than 6,000 people have died building infrastructure for the tournament. 
  • FIFA has been criticized for failing to create a fund for the workers despite backing from the American, French, and English football associations and support from World Cup sponsors including Adidas.

Qatar is also receiving criticism for requiring visitors to download apps that could be considered spyware.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Loses Another Legal Battle

23XI Racing has lost its Cup Series charter status for the time being.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’