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Qatar chief says World Cup criticism ill-informed
Video content
Video caption: Qatar 2022 World Cup: We're ready to welcome the worldQatar 2022 World Cup: We're ready to welcome the world
The secretary general of the 2022 Qatar World Cup says criticism by players and managers has been "ill-informed" and the nation "should not be apologetic" about hosting the tournament.
Qatar has been heavily criticised over the country's human rights record.
There are strict anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in Qatar, while there are also concerns over the treatment of migrant workers.
"Some people have made statements that in my opinion were ill-informed," Hassan Al-Thawadi told BBC sport editor Dan Roan.
"We should not be apologetic over our ambitions to host this tournament because we are football loving region.
"We are football crazy and football mad like anywhere else. We have the legitimate ambition to showcase our region to the rest of the world and to change people's perception of who we are."
A group of 16
international LGBTIQ organisations have been engaging with Fifa and the
local organisers on “issues of concern”.
They say: “Progress has been slow, reassurances about the
safety of LGBTIQ+ people and the mechanisms in place to ensure safety have not
been adequate.
"If
acknowledgement of the issues facing LGBTIQ+ people in Qatar and reassurances
of safety cannot be offered, we will be forced to question if the risk facing
LGBTIQ+ people wanting to attend or work at the World Cup in Qatar is too
high."
Post update
John Murray
BBC Football Correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live in Doha
The stage in front of me has a very distinctive Middle Eastern feel. The managers, including Gareth Southgate, have been asked to take their seats.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
For Wales and Scotland, there's a tantalising prospect of what might lie in store for them should they make it.
Post update
Tim Cahill
World Cup Qatar 2022 ambassador and ex-Australia midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
I played in four World Cups. There's so many different
things that many countries have to deal with before you go there. You get the
list of mandates as a player and as a country.
One of the good things is having the experience to be able to
help from a players' perspective. So you look at Brazil and also Russia -
talking about security and those sorts of things. It was one of the most
efficient world Cups I have been part of, other than Germany.
You would have heard Hassan Al-Thawadi addresss all the
concerns. I think you would have seen over the last 10 years a lot of issues
being addressed in the way that there are many improvements. You also see the
excitement around the World Cup.
.Copyright: .
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SMS Message: I don't think we should go into a tournament wanting to "avoid" any other team. We should be confident and have teams afraid of drawing us. from Neil, North Devon
I don't think we should go into a tournament wanting to "avoid" any other team. We should be confident and have teams afraid of drawing us.
Post update
At Thursday's Fifa Congress meeting, Norway's Football Federation president Lise Klaveness said the World Cup had been awarded by Fifa "in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences".
Counting down to Qatar 2022
BBC World Service
In a special edition of World Football Mani Djazmi travels to Doha.
Croatia international Lovro Mayer says he and his team-mates haven’t been paying any attention to the human rights issues.
The BBC also hear from the Supreme Committee CEO Nasser Al Khater.
A member of Qatar’s LGBTQ+ community tells of the dangers of being homosexual in the country.
Plus, a migrant worker from Ghana talks about the conditions he has had to endure.
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 kicked out of 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 teams Colombia and Chile also failed to qualify.
.Copyright: .
Treatment of foreign workers
Qatar is building seven stadiums for the finals, a new airport, new metro and new roads.
But the state has attracted criticism for its treatment of the 30,000 migrant labourers working on the projects.
In 2016, human rights group Amnesty International accused Qatar of using forced labour.
Since 2017, the government has introduced measures to protect migrant labourers from working in excessive heat, limit their working hours and improve conditions in workers' camps.
However, campaign group Human Rights Watch said in a 2021 report that foreign workers were still suffering from "punitive and illegal wage deductions", as well as "months of unpaid wages for long hours of gruelling work".
A government spokesperson told the BBC: "Significant progress to ensure the reforms are effectively enforced has been made." It said the number of rule-breaking companies "will continue to decline as enforcement measures take hold".
Post update
Fifa President Gianni Infantino spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on human rights concerns: "It's a constant process. We are a football organisation but we know we have a responsibility. We take this responsibility very seriously. It's a never-ending process."
BBCCopyright: BBC
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SMS Message: England definitely want to avoid Wales or Scotland if they qualify. Canada present a banana skin! And Netherlands under Van Gaal could go all the way. from Tim
England definitely want to avoid Wales or Scotland if they qualify. Canada present a banana skin! And Netherlands under Van Gaal could go all the way.
Post update
BBC Radio 5 Live
The BBC Radio 5 Live coverage has started. Press play at the top of this page.
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#bbcfootball
Scott Tweed: My group stage prediction...
Scott Tweed on TwitterCopyright: Scott Tweed on Twitter
I don't want to say your predictions will be wrong but... three of those groups can't happen because of continental restrictions (two South American/African/Asian teams can't be in the same group)
Can you name the 29 World Cup teams?
Quiz
Can you name the 29 teams to have booked their place in Qatar already?
England boss Gareth Southgate says England can win the tournament - but admits they will have to be "close to perfect".
He said: "We have said to the team this week, 'if we can get to a semi-final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win'. That's clear.
"To do that is incredibly difficult and we'll have to be as close to perfect as can be.
"That's the challenge for us, not just when we get to Qatar, because we've got to be in the right condition, even before that. That's what we've got to work towards every day we're together."
Key questions about Qatar World Cup
.Copyright: .
This will be the first time the finals have been held in a Muslim country in the Gulf, and there will also be a change of schedule with the tournament in November and December, so what can fans expect at the tournament?
How do you get tickets? Can you drink beer? Will gay people be allowed in?
Fifa president Gianni Infantino says world football's governing body has not proposed staging the World Cup every two years but has only explored the feasibility of such a change.
The concept has faced criticism from federations, leagues and players, though the Confederation of African Football has given its backing.
Infantino previously said those against the move were "afraid" of change.
"Fifa has not proposed a biennial World Cup," Infantino said.
Infantino, speaking in Doha before Friday's 2022 World Cup draw, added: "Let's get the process clear here - the last Fifa congress asked the Fifa administration ... to start a feasibility study into holding the World Cup every two years.
"The Fifa administration under the leadership of Arsene Wenger did exactly that. Fifa did not propose anything, but came to the conclusion that it is feasible, that it would have some repercussions and impact.
"We found it would be feasible and even positive for a big part of the world, but there is of course also big opposition to it and that is where the discussion has to start."
.Copyright: .
Get Involved
#bbcfootball
IanVern: Why don’t they just pick the balls out the hat for the draw? No one is interested in all the bumph & razzmatazz
KT3_Villan: Am I the only one thinking England should want Germany/Holland/Denmark in their group to avoid meeting them until later stages of the competition?
'Respect where you are'
BBC Radio 5 Live
Jon Wilks, British ambassador to Qatar, says: "My advice to everyone is come, but come prepared. Make your preparations early - watch our travel advice.
"Make sure you get email updates, they have not yet issued all the rules and guidelines. There is alcohol in Qatar, but it will be managed.
"It is a culture of restraint and the principle should be 'everybody’s welcome Qatar will respect who you are' and they ask you respect where you are."
With respect to the guidelines for LGBTIQ+ fans concerned about their safety: "Tournament organisers are saying everybody is welcome. We are pressing for clarity and as soon as we get that, we’ll put that on the website."
Live Reporting
Emlyn Begley
All times stated are UK
Post update
BBC One
TV coverage is starting on BBC One now so find a TV or click play near the top of this page.
Qatar chief says World Cup criticism ill-informed
Video content
The secretary general of the 2022 Qatar World Cup says criticism by players and managers has been "ill-informed" and the nation "should not be apologetic" about hosting the tournament.
Qatar has been heavily criticised over the country's human rights record.
There are strict anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in Qatar, while there are also concerns over the treatment of migrant workers.
"Some people have made statements that in my opinion were ill-informed," Hassan Al-Thawadi told BBC sport editor Dan Roan.
"We should not be apologetic over our ambitions to host this tournament because we are football loving region.
"We are football crazy and football mad like anywhere else. We have the legitimate ambition to showcase our region to the rest of the world and to change people's perception of who we are."
Read more here.
LGBTIQ group need more reassurances
A group of 16 international LGBTIQ organisations have been engaging with Fifa and the local organisers on “issues of concern”.
They say: “Progress has been slow, reassurances about the safety of LGBTIQ+ people and the mechanisms in place to ensure safety have not been adequate.
"If acknowledgement of the issues facing LGBTIQ+ people in Qatar and reassurances of safety cannot be offered, we will be forced to question if the risk facing LGBTIQ+ people wanting to attend or work at the World Cup in Qatar is too high."
Post update
John Murray
BBC Football Correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live in Doha
The stage in front of me has a very distinctive Middle Eastern feel. The managers, including Gareth Southgate, have been asked to take their seats.
For Wales and Scotland, there's a tantalising prospect of what might lie in store for them should they make it.
Post update
Tim Cahill
World Cup Qatar 2022 ambassador and ex-Australia midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
I played in four World Cups. There's so many different things that many countries have to deal with before you go there. You get the list of mandates as a player and as a country.
One of the good things is having the experience to be able to help from a players' perspective. So you look at Brazil and also Russia - talking about security and those sorts of things. It was one of the most efficient world Cups I have been part of, other than Germany.
You would have heard Hassan Al-Thawadi addresss all the concerns. I think you would have seen over the last 10 years a lot of issues being addressed in the way that there are many improvements. You also see the excitement around the World Cup.
Get Involved
Text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Post update
At Thursday's Fifa Congress meeting, Norway's Football Federation president Lise Klaveness said the World Cup had been awarded by Fifa "in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences".
Counting down to Qatar 2022
BBC World Service
In a special edition of World Football Mani Djazmi travels to Doha.
Croatia international Lovro Mayer says he and his team-mates haven’t been paying any attention to the human rights issues.
The BBC also hear from the Supreme Committee CEO Nasser Al Khater.
A member of Qatar’s LGBTQ+ community tells of the dangers of being homosexual in the country.
Plus, a migrant worker from Ghana talks about the conditions he has had to endure.
Listen to or download the show here.
Who won't be in the draw?
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 kicked out of 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 teams Colombia and Chile also failed to qualify.
Treatment of foreign workers
Qatar is building seven stadiums for the finals, a new airport, new metro and new roads.
But the state has attracted criticism for its treatment of the 30,000 migrant labourers working on the projects.
In 2016, human rights group Amnesty International accused Qatar of using forced labour.
Since 2017, the government has introduced measures to protect migrant labourers from working in excessive heat, limit their working hours and improve conditions in workers' camps.
However, campaign group Human Rights Watch said in a 2021 report that foreign workers were still suffering from "punitive and illegal wage deductions", as well as "months of unpaid wages for long hours of gruelling work".
A government spokesperson told the BBC: "Significant progress to ensure the reforms are effectively enforced has been made." It said the number of rule-breaking companies "will continue to decline as enforcement measures take hold".
Post update
Fifa President Gianni Infantino spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on human rights concerns: "It's a constant process. We are a football organisation but we know we have a responsibility. We take this responsibility very seriously. It's a never-ending process."
Get Involved
Text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Post update
BBC Radio 5 Live
The BBC Radio 5 Live coverage has started. Press play at the top of this page.
Get Involved
#bbcfootball
Scott Tweed: My group stage prediction...
I don't want to say your predictions will be wrong but... three of those groups can't happen because of continental restrictions (two South American/African/Asian teams can't be in the same group)
Can you name the 29 World Cup teams?
Quiz
Can you name the 29 teams to have booked their place in Qatar already?
Have a go here.
'If we can get to a final, we can win'
England boss Gareth Southgate says England can win the tournament - but admits they will have to be "close to perfect".
He said: "We have said to the team this week, 'if we can get to a semi-final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win'. That's clear.
"To do that is incredibly difficult and we'll have to be as close to perfect as can be.
"That's the challenge for us, not just when we get to Qatar, because we've got to be in the right condition, even before that. That's what we've got to work towards every day we're together."
Key questions about Qatar World Cup
This will be the first time the finals have been held in a Muslim country in the Gulf, and there will also be a change of schedule with the tournament in November and December, so what can fans expect at the tournament?
How do you get tickets? Can you drink beer? Will gay people be allowed in?
Find out here.
Fifa 'did not propose biennial World Cup'
Fifa president Gianni Infantino says world football's governing body has not proposed staging the World Cup every two years but has only explored the feasibility of such a change.
The concept has faced criticism from federations, leagues and players, though the Confederation of African Football has given its backing.
Infantino previously said those against the move were "afraid" of change.
"Fifa has not proposed a biennial World Cup," Infantino said.
Infantino, speaking in Doha before Friday's 2022 World Cup draw, added: "Let's get the process clear here - the last Fifa congress asked the Fifa administration ... to start a feasibility study into holding the World Cup every two years.
"The Fifa administration under the leadership of Arsene Wenger did exactly that. Fifa did not propose anything, but came to the conclusion that it is feasible, that it would have some repercussions and impact.
"We found it would be feasible and even positive for a big part of the world, but there is of course also big opposition to it and that is where the discussion has to start."
Get Involved
#bbcfootball
IanVern: Why don’t they just pick the balls out the hat for the draw? No one is interested in all the bumph & razzmatazz
KT3_Villan: Am I the only one thinking England should want Germany/Holland/Denmark in their group to avoid meeting them until later stages of the competition?
'Respect where you are'
BBC Radio 5 Live
Jon Wilks, British ambassador to Qatar, says: "My advice to everyone is come, but come prepared. Make your preparations early - watch our travel advice.
"Make sure you get email updates, they have not yet issued all the rules and guidelines. There is alcohol in Qatar, but it will be managed.
"It is a culture of restraint and the principle should be 'everybody’s welcome Qatar will respect who you are' and they ask you respect where you are."
With respect to the guidelines for LGBTIQ+ fans concerned about their safety: "Tournament organisers are saying everybody is welcome. We are pressing for clarity and as soon as we get that, we’ll put that on the website."