The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will take place from November 21st to December 18th.
(dpa) Almost half of Germans believe that the national football team should not take part in the World Cup because of human rights violations and the deaths of construction workers in Qatar. This is the result of a representative survey by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency.
48 percent of those surveyed were in favor of a withdrawal from the team of national coach Hansi Flick. 28 percent were of the opinion that the DFB team should not miss out on starting at the World Cup in autumn. The proportion of people who did not provide any information was 24 percent.
The World Cup in Qatar will take place from November 21st to December 18th. The German selection meets Japan, Spain and Costa Rica in the preliminary round. The President of the German Football Association, Bernd Neuendorf, wants to travel to Qatar with the Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser (SPD), before the tournament begins. The sports committee of the Bundestag will deal with the situation in the host country in a hearing this Monday.
The rich emirate is repeatedly criticized for systematic human rights violations and the exploitation of migrants. The government denies the allegations and is leading reforms in favor of foreign workers.
Reports of discrimination against homosexuals had recently caused a stir. In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in prison. According to Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, all guests are welcome at the World Cup – regardless of their sexual orientation.