PCI: Should the 2022 World Cup Be Moved From Qatar?

by The Cowl Editor on October 3, 2019

PCI

PCI: Should the 2022 World Cup Be Moved From Qatar?

Yes, There is Too Much Controversy

by Liam Tormey ’22

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to take place in Qatar, an Arab country in the Middle East. Since the announcement on December 2, 2010, immense controversy followed, which is why the 2022 FIFA World Cup needs to be moved from Qatar.

Although never proven, there were numerous allegations after the bidding process in 2010 that Qatar had bribed FIFA members and executives to get the World Cup to Qatar. If true, they were successful in their attempt. However, even worse was ex-president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, coming out a few years after the bid was complete to say that choosing Qatar was a “mistake.”

This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the problems in Qatar. The abuse of migrant workers in Qatar is astounding. There are 1.7 million migrant workers in Qatar, who make up over 90% of the work force. These workers are put in dangerous working conditions, often abused and exploited, and are then housed in appalling living conditions. Eight or more men must live in a room with just a single bunk bed for example.

Workers’ salaries are often delayed for months, leaving their families homeless. This is not to mention the monthly salary for a worker is only $220.

This is an issue of human rights. FIFA should have pulled the plug on Qatar once they heard of any reports such as this.

A big problem the media has also reported is the illegality of homosexuality in Qatar, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment. This creates an uneasiness about traveling there not only for homosexual players, but for fans as well.

The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to take place during November and December. Besides the issues of scheduling it during the holidays, the domestic league seasons, and not having the traditional summer World Cup, the climate in Qatar is very hot. The conditions are not right for players to be competing in.

It is not too late to make a change. The 2022 World Cup location needs to be changed. If the reasons above do not make you hesitate to want a global event in a place with so much controversy, I am not sure what will. The ball is now in FIFA’s hand to make a change.

No, The Location is Fine

by Joseph Quirk ’23

Every four years, the world stops for about a month in the summer to watch one of the greatest international sporting tournaments known to mankind. And no, I am not referring to the Olympics. The FIFA World Cup is watched by billions and has the power to bring entire nations together, soccer fans or not. However, the announcement that Qatar would be the host location for the 2022 World Cup came with a lot of controversy.

Many people argued that there were a bevy of reasons why Qatar should not host the tournament, ranging from the country’s summer weather to concerns about the labor force. Because of this, many believe Qatar is unfit to host the cup and are calling FIFA corrupt because of the decision to allow Qatar to host. That being said, I believe that the World Cup should stay in Qatar and that FIFA made a good decision in their selection.

Qatar is an Arabian peninsula country off the shore of Saudi Arabia, jutting out into the Persian Gulf. It also happens to have the highest per capita income in the entire world due to its wealth in natural oil and gas resources. The wealth has made Qatar a very rich country and capable of building large and beautiful cities with futuristic designs, such as Doha, the country’s capital. This leads me to all the positives that Qatar hosting the World Cup has.

First of all, by having a relatively unknown, small country be the host of such a significant global event, FIFA is drawing tourist attention to a beautiful place that, up to this point, made the majority of their money off of oil and gas. The new hotels being built will also increase employment and open the country to new job opportunities. Because Qatar is so small, this can also have a spillover effect into neighboring countries’ economies as well, whether it be through tourism or other means.

Finally, Qatar has the funds to make this not only a fantastic spectacle to all those fans watching from home, but a very hospitable and luxurious experience for fans, teams, and broadcast crews alike.

While I understand why Qatar could be seen as a questionable choice by some, it has many positives to it as well, and I see no reason why FIFA should consider moving it. After all, having the tournament there is going to do more good than bad.