Three young Kenyans jog in the direction of Al-Bayt Stadium, a half-hour drive from the center of Doha, Qatar’s capital.
Then a resounding roar of joy is heard from over 40,000 spectators inside the stadium.
It dawns on the three boys that they are out too late to catch the first highlight. It is already 1-0 in the quarterfinals between Qatar and the UAE in the Arab Cup.
– QATAAAR, they roar and lift their supporter scarves to the sky.
– I love Qatar!
– You can see this stadium? All of this! Qatar has so many resources, the boys tell TV 2’s reporting team.
– HOME SUPPORTERS: Kenyan guest workers who live in Qatar and cheer wildly in the countryside – both on and off the field. Photo: Thorbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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The country is one of the richest in the world. The population has a very high standard of living, but this applies to almost everyone.
Foreign guest workers are in a much worse position than those who are nationals. One recent Amnesty report paints a bleak picture of the situation for migrant workers.
That does not seem to bother the gang outside Al-Bayt. Tonight it’s football that counts.
– The stadium is almost full. Just think what it will be like in the World Cup … Aaaaahh !, the three young Kenyans grin.
All three have lived and worked in Qatar for a long time. Tonight they have traveled for two hours to get straight from work and to the international match against the Emirates.
– We in Qatar have been through some tough years, countries have been against us, says one of them.
He is referring to a trade blockade imposed on Qatar in 2017 by neighboring countries. Part of the reason was that Qatar financed terrorism.
Despite the adversity, Qatar has managed to raise financial investment.
Much due to the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup; by building infrastructure related to the event.
– Next year we will show the world !, the three supporters say and hurry on to the cheers from the stadium.
– GREAT ROOM: The quarterfinals between Qatar and the UAE were almost sold out. Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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Al-Bayt is one of the arenas that will also be used during the World Cup – with a capacity of 60,000 spectators.
The outside of the stadium is designed as a large tent, inspired by the nomadic people bayt al sha’ar who lived in the desert of Qatar several hundred years ago.
– TENT DESIGN: Al-Bayt Stadium. Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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In the surrounding area there is almost only sand and a five-lane highway.
Qatar has made huge investments in the country’s infrastructure in connection with the World Cup. The total prize for the championship is estimated at NOK 1664 billion.
A few hours before the quarterfinals between Qatar and the UAE, football president Terje Svendsen ended two hectic meeting days in the capital Doha.
Among other things, a secret meeting with migrant workers, and by asking critical questions to the authorities about, among other things, press freedom and rights for LGBTQ people.
– We are in a country that has deliberately used large sporting events to promote their country, says Svendsen
He frowns and expresses that it is a big dilemma for the whole sport.
– You show the front of the medal and hide the back.
Seven new football stadiums with a spectator capacity of at least 30,000 people have been built all over the flat and dry Qatar island.
– HEAVY CONSTRUCTION WORK: Al-Thumama Stadium under construction. Photo: AFP / NTB
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Mainly foreign construction workers as labor.
Amnesty and several human rights organizations have expressed strong concern about the high death toll among workers during this expansion process.
– Now the construction of the stadium facilities is finished, but there is a lot of other development in Qatar in connection with the World Cup, says the football president.
– What is the risk that migrant workers will die in the period before the World Cup starts?
– There is an absolute risk for that, even though there have been reforms in the building sector, Svendsen answers.
He leans on facts he has recently been served in connection with the NFF’s Qatar work and the 26 points as adopted by the Extraordinary Football Parliament.
– How serious is it?
– It is serious, one human life lost is one too many, whether it is in Qatar, Norway or the Netherlands.
The World Cup was to be the crowning achievement of launching Qatar as a tourist destination. It has instead become a chafing wound for the authorities.
But fans at Al-Bayt Stadium will not hear about what is being discussed by the NFF and other European football associations.
– Those who come here next year will see good stadiums and that Qatar is good for the World Cup, says a young boy at the age of 13.
– WANT TO SHOW QATAR TO THE WORLD: Qatar residents believe the country has gained an undeserved reputation, according to football fans outside Al-Bayt. Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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He is fighting with friends and family. Everyone is dressed in traditional costumes.
– The World Cup has been a catalyst for reforms in Qatar, says Paola Cammilli.
She is the global campaign director in the interest organization for construction workers BWI.
They have worked closely with the World Cup organizer and have regular inspections.
– We have seen improvements in a short time. Now is the time for these improvements to be implemented and bear fruit in the country, says Cammilli.
The authorities must now ensure that important reforms are put into practice, she emphasizes.
– The commitment from Norway and the other football associations is crucial for the championship to leave a positive mark, after it is finished.
Both Qataris flow daily and tourists to the Corniche area of Doha to take pictures and immortalize the wait at the digital countdown clock.
– COUNTDOWN: The digital countdown clock is centrally located in Doha. Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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For about a month since then it was unveiled by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. It marked that there is one year left until the championship kicks off.
Surrounded by the Arabian Gulf and tall skyscrapers, Infantino stated that the World Cup in Qatar 2022 will be the best world championship ever.
“In football, for a few decades, after helping to organize some of the biggest events in football tournaments, I have never seen anything like it. The stadiums are very beautiful and they are ready, the country is getting ready for the event “, said Infantino.
– Al Thumama Stadium completed. Photo: KARIM JAAFAR / AFP / NTB
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Only weeks later, two NRK journalists were arrested.
– We have received clear promises that they will be open to journalists who come to Qatar before, during and after the World Cup, says Svendsen.
He has specifically raised the arrest with the authorities.
The security will also apply to fans and others who identify as LGBTQ, according to the football president.
– The world will see that Qatar is very peaceful, claims a group of boys that TV 2 meets outside Al-Bayt stadium.
– You can do what you want, they claim.
But political parties are banned and the emir makes all major decisions.
There is also a risk of criminal prosecution for extramarital sex, which is just some of the things that are illegal, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website.
Malcolm Bidali, a former migrant worker was arrested in Qatar to blog about criticisms.
Nevertheless, the young people that TV 2 meets are positive. They emphasize that Qatar is composed of many different cultures from different nationalities.
The indigenous Qatari population is in the clear minority.
Only one in five Qataris is born in the country, most of the other inhabitants are foreign guest workers. Mainly from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines and Egypt.
– MANY DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES: The Souq Market in Doha. Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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Like everywhere else in Doha, the Qatari flag flutters in the Souq Waqif marketplace.
This is described as the best attraction in Doha to understand the special, local cultural heritage.
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Traditional garments, spices, handicrafts and souvenirs are sold here. Rich oil and gas reserves have made Qatar one of the richest countries in the Middle East.
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But what about the legacy of next year’s World Cup?
– Qatar has a responsibility. They must implement the reforms. Not only will it be an advantage for Qatar itself, but also FIFA, says Paola Cammilli in the interest organization for construction workers BWI.
She believes FIFA has the opportunity to use it as an example of what an international tournament can leave behind.
TV 2 has been in contact with the World Cup organizer and asked for an interview, without success.
When the championship kicks off in November next year, football president Svendsen admits that he will think about it what happened in 2010, when Qatar was awarded the championship.
– HANDSHAKE: FIFA President Gianni Infantino greets the leader of the Football Association of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani. Photo: KARIM JAAFAR / AFP / NTB
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– Unfortunately, the football family and other parts of the world slept. I think the World Cup will be conducted in a streamlined way, but it will be with a distaste for the way the award took place.
– What do you want to say to the Norwegian football family in the Qatar question?
– After the meeting with migrant workers I am absolutely convinced that the decision of the extraordinary parliament last June was the right one.
The boycott advocates were then in the minority.
The migrant workers had a message for Svendsen and the other representatives who met them in a secret place.
– The worst thing for them is if nations start boycotting. They want active involvement from countries that are both qualified and unqualified to improve their situation.
– QATAR ALLIANCE: Terje Svendsen together with Secretary General of the Danish Football Association, Jakob Jensen Photo: Torbjørn Pedersen / TV 2
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On Friday afternoon, a committed Svendsen gave his closing speech in front of the UEFA delegation in Qatar.
– My concern is that it is the World Cup committee that is to a very large extent the driving force for the reforms down here. The impression we have is that the committee will be dissolved after the World Cup. What happens then? That is the biggest risk.
Qatar supporters at the World Cup arena Al-Bayt do not share Svendsen’s concern.
– Everyone will love this country after the World Cup. What is it that one can not love with this country?
The game about Qatar has been going on for a long time.
– In QATAR: Trine Melheim Næss and Torbjørn Pedersen.
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