Migrant workers have been working overnight at World Cup Clock, which will begin counting down to 200 days to begin on Thursday, with host Qatar facing increasing questions about costs and terms for fans.
Eight gleaming, air-conditioned stadiums are ready for the start of the tournament on November 21, but every night an army of South Asian workers jumps on unfinished roads and building sites around Doha, based on Qatar’s energy-rich economy.
Dozens of huge crane towers on the capital’s skyscrapers while organizers are hesitant to welcome the estimated 1.4 million fans who want entertainment and alcohol in the small, conservative Islamic state.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised the “best of all time” at the World Cup, and a FIFA spokesman told AFP that the global body was “impressed” by Qatar’s infrastructure program.
However, many fans are worried about the cost of travel and accommodation for the first Qatar World Cup in the Arab world.
Qatar is facing frequent questions about human rights, including tens of thousands of migrant workers building infrastructure around the World Cup. Qatar says it has cracked down on offensive practices and introduced reforms with minimum wages.
But Ronan Ewen, head of pro-football Europe, a lobbying group, said transportation and bedding were major concerns for fans.
“It’s the most complex World Cup in modern times, for logistics,” he told AFP. “Fans see the price rise and don’t know when it will stop,” he told AFP.
The price of a Madrid-Doha return air ticket in November has already reached more than $ 1,680, almost three times the cost of 2021, due to the rise in post-Covid prices.
However, many fans are worried about the cost of travel and accommodation for the first Qatar World Cup in the Arab world.
Qatar is facing frequent questions about human rights, including tens of thousands of migrant workers building infrastructure around the World Cup. Qatar says it has cracked down on offensive practices and introduced reforms with minimum wages.
But Ronan Ewen, head of pro-football Europe, a lobbying group, said transportation and bedding were major concerns for fans.
Many ambassadors from 32 competing countries have told AFP about their concerns about the lack of information on issues ranging from alcohol to homosexual treatment in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and alcohol is restricted to foreign non-Muslims.
“There is no problem with concrete and steel,” said one ambassador, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“It’s a nightmare to get information from the organizing committee,” said Fabian Bonnell, a spokesman for the Irresistible Franchise, the largest organization of French supporters. He predicted fewer French fans than in previous tournaments.
Daniel Reiche, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar and author of “Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” said stadiums were often discussed before other World Cups, but 2022 was different. Politics, conflict, change “.
“It’s the most complex World Cup in modern times, for logistics,” he told AFP. “Fans see the price rise and don’t know when it will stop,” he told AFP.
The price of a Madrid-Doha return air ticket in November has already reached more than $ 1,680, almost three times the cost of 2021, due to the rise in post-Covid prices.
“There are a lot of indicators that this is going to be a great World Cup,” Ritche said.
“The challenge here is to cater to the needs of Western fans who are accustomed to drinking alcohol while watching matches, respecting local culture.
“We need to find a realistic agreement that respects both sides.”
The organizers of FIFA and Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Inheritance, wanted to reassure fans about accommodation, rights and alcohol.
During the 2019 Club World Cup and last year’s Formula One race in Qatar, alcohol could be sold at a subsidized price of about $ 6.25 per beer in the fan zone near the stadium and in special areas, organizers said.
“Many countries have a ban on public consumption of alcohol. Qatar is no different and only asks fans to respect the country’s conservative culture, “said a spokesman for the Supreme Court.
Drunkenness will be managed “in a sensitive and sensitive way”.
FIFA says it emphasizes Qatar’s “unequivocal” position on human and gay rights.
FIFA stressed that law enforcement around the World Cup should be “non-discriminatory, and strictly necessary and proportionate” with the permission of lesbian-gay-transgender symbols and colors inside and outside the stadium, the spokesman said.
“The colors of the rainbow and other sexual identities on the flag are allowed in any FIFA competition and have been featured in previous FIFA tournaments in Qatar.
“FIFA is confident that all necessary steps will be taken for LGBTIQ + supporters and allies to enjoy the tournament in a welcoming and safe environment like everyone else.”
According to the spokesman, FIFA insisted that law enforcement around the World Cup must be “non-discriminatory, strictly mandatory and proportional”, including allowing the display of lesbian-gay-transgender-queer symbols and colors inside and outside the stadium.
Read More:
