When the 22nd World Cup kicks off on November 20 with the hosts from Qatar against Ecuador at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor (17:00), the Gulf state will become the sports center of the world for four weeks, despite all calls for a boycott. 32 national teams are fighting for the first time in an Arab country for the most important title that football has to offer. The reigning champions France and Brazil are the favorites, Austria is only spectators this time.
While hosting the 2018 World Cup in Russia was considered controversial, the tournament in Qatar is even more controversial. Human rights, the model for women, the living conditions of foreign workers, the postponement of the event from summer to winter and numerous other points have dominated the debates on the country’s big event on the Persian Gulf, which is smaller of Upper Austria. The game will be played in eight stadiums, almost all built from scratch. Thousands of guest workers are said to have died in the process.
At the beginning of 2021, the British “Guardian” reported over 6,500 dead workers from five Asian countries on construction sites in the emirate over the past decade. The Qatari authorities rejected him as undifferentiated and officially spoke of three deaths in the construction sites of the stadium. Head of state Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani identified the spread of fake news in late October. He could not have meant the FIFA president Gianni Infantino, because for some time he has promised, as usual, “the best World Cup ever”. Financially, it might even be fair, as the tournament ensures billions in revenue for the global association.
The players and supervisors of the 32 teams focus on the sport. Some nations can be expected in the title fight. “They are still the same teams, but if I have to choose, Brazil and France are two big contenders for the World Cup,” said Argentine superstar Lionel Messi recently. Spain coach Luis Enrique thinks the first South American triumph since 2002 (Brazil) is likely. “I see Argentina at the top and Brazil too, well above the rest,” said the 52-year-old.
The bookmakers also favor the Brazilians of coach Tite, who are aiming for the sixth world title. The world record champion has been in impressive form for a long time, World Cup qualification was denied without defeat. Reigning champions France have played a mixed European championship and not a good Nations League group stage and have to do without world champion Paul Pogba, among other things. Coach Didier Deschamps’ team is studded with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema. “They have fantastic players, a clear game plan and the same coach from the last World Cup,” said Messi.
His team, the Albiceleste, can boast an impressive series of successes. Argentina are undefeated in 35 games, the 2021 Copa America triumph when historical rivals Brazil were defeated in the final is said to have been just a stop for Messi’s latest attempt at the World Cup.
However, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal also have the potential to get involved in the title fight. “We are a great team that can beat anyone, that’s for sure”, Spaniard Enrique announced. The European runners-up England and Germany should also be taken into consideration despite some difficulties in the recent past. Of the African teams, Bayern Munich star Sadio Mané is believed to be the most capable.
Whether the tournament will also be a happy fan festival remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Qatari politicians want to be on good terms with the potential crowd of guests and are said to have promised a guarantee of safety for all fans, especially members of the LGBTIQ + community. 50,000 people, including foreigners, were trained as security guards for the tournament, Qatar’s Interior Ministry said.
