British singer Dua Lipa has denied her participation in the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar, to be held on November 20, after several reports linked her to the global event.
The 27-year-old, born in London to Kosovar parents, said she would not sing in or visit Qatar unless the Gulf state improves its human rights record.
Qatar has been criticized by human rights organizations for the “poor working conditions” of migrant workers, after dozens of them died at construction sites associated with the World Cup, according to those organisations.
Rights groups have also criticized Qatar’s human rights record, especially laws criminalizing homosexuality and limiting freedom of expression.
In a statement he posted on his Instagram account, he said, “There is currently a lot of speculation that I will perform a song at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar. I will not perform any songs and have not participated in any negotiations for this”.
“I will be rooting for England from afar and look forward to visiting Qatar when they fulfill all the human rights commitments they made when they won the right to host the World Cup,” he added.
Qatar denies allegations that workers are being exploited and confirms in statements by World Cup Executive Director Nasser Al-Khater that homosexuals will be welcome in the Gulf state during the World Cup period.
So far, it has been officially announced that BTS member singer Jung Kook will participate in an opera performance during the opening of the global event to be held at Al Bayt Stadium, as confirmed by the band on their Twitter account.
BTS ‘Jungkook’ participates in the official soundtrack of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the opening ceremony of the World Cup. Please look forward to it!
Proud to announce that Jung Kook is part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 soundtrack and will perform at the World Cup Opening Ceremony. Stay tuned!#FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/MwJ2kdNRBp— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) November 12, 2022
The opening of the major sporting event, which will last 29 days, will also be attended by the American rapper Diplo and the Jamaican singer Sean Paul.
