World soccer’s most powerful figure is handing out red cards to anyone who dares to question FIFA’s decision to make Qatar the first Middle Eastern nation to hold the quadrennial World Cup.
Qatar’s suitability as a host was a rising topic of discussion before the U.S. and 31 other nations began the monthlong tournament Sunday with a lavish but short opening ceremony and a loss by the host nation to Ecuador in the Cup’s very first match. In addition to grumbling over whether the country is ready to host the massive event, critics have zeroed in on Qatar’s questionable stands on civil liberties, the treatment of migrant workers and its record on gay rights.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was having none of it in an extraordinarily combative press conference Saturday on the eve of the tournament as he defended Qatar’s preparations and accused its critics of rank hypocrisy.
“I’m European,” he told a packed news conference, part of a nearly 90-minute monologue scolding the press for its coverage of the tournament and its criticisms of the organizers. “For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people.”
The controversies appeared unlikely to subside after a divisive opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium, where no major Western leaders joined Qatari leader Sheikh Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani and Mr. Infantino for the 30-minute kickoff, which included American actor Morgan Freeman and Jung Kook, a singer with K-pop supergroup BTS.
Television cameras showed what seemed to be significant gaps in the seats in the 60,000-capacity stadium north of Doha, and the host nation’s spirits were not lifted by the 2-0 loss to Ecuador almost immediately afterward.
The ceremony, with its theme of “bridging differences,” was watched by, among others, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Although the Qatari World Cup has attracted significant criticism in the West, Qataris see it as confirmation that a long, isolating feud with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states was in the past.
“Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day you have been eagerly waiting for,” Sheikh Tamim said. “We will follow, and with us the whole world, God willing, the great football festival, in this spacious ambiance for human and civilized communication. People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments.”
Qatar will get one more high-profile guest when Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the stands to watch the U.S. opening match against Wales. Qatar is host to the primary U.S. military air base in the region, and President Biden in January declared Qatar a “major non-NATO ally.”
Diatribe
Still, an emotional defense of the choice by FIFA’s top officer over the weekend showed that feelings were raw.
Mr. Infantino, the Swiss-born son of Italian immigrants who has led the global soccer organization since 2016, said Qatar has made progress in its treatment of the large contingent of foreign-born workers within its border and said FIFA has kept the issue front and center from the beginning.
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“I came here six years ago and addressed the matter of migrant workers straight on, in my very first meeting,” Mr. Infantino said at one point. “How many of these European or Western business companies, who earned millions and millions from Qatar and other countries in the region — billions every year — how many of them addressed the rights of migrant workers with the authorities?
“I have the answer for you,” he added. “None of them. The one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy.”
Mr. Infantino even defended the hosts’ last-minute decision to ban sales of beer during matches. He noted that many European soccer stadiums observe the same policy and fans should be able to go a couple of hours without a beer.
At another point, he rose from his seat, spread his arms wide and said, “You want to criticize someone, come to me. Criticize me. Here I am. Crucify me.”
Qatar, relying on its massive oil and natural gas wealth, has spent more than $200 billion to prepare for its hosting duties, including the construction of seven stadiums with sophisticated cooling systems to combat the heat of the local climate.
Still, many fans crowding Doha’s “Fan Village” saw the beer reversal as a sign of larger problems, including the lack of public places to celebrate their passion for the game in the manner to which they have grown accustomed.
“The organization to enter here and to buy beer is the worst thing ever,” said Miguel, a Mexican fan who declined to give his last name. “I don’t know how they permitted this kind of operation at the World Cup. And we tried to enter, and other people were pushing. And people tried to get it, but the police couldn’t resist it. The worst experience ever.”
A European woman living in Doha said restricting beer consumption to a few designated areas was creating a new problem.
“This has caused a security issue when they finally open the doors here,” she said. “Everybody is in danger to be smashed by the others, so they still have some things to learn about security.”
The designated fan area was a scene of chaos and confusion again on Sunday, The Associated Press reported, with tens of thousands of fans pushing and shoving against police lines to enter the venue.
Riot police armed with batons and shields stood guard at the entrance, and some fans were pleading with officials to be allowed to enter.
Ecuadorian fans, while watching their team defeat the hosts in the inaugural game, chanted in Spanish, “We want beer.”
Some fans were more philosophical and agreed with Mr. Infantino that Qatar’s no-alcohol-during-matches policy was not unusual.
A Scottish fan who identified himself only as Joe said, “I am from Glasgow, and alcohol is banned inside stadiums inside Glasgow and other stadiums all over Scotland, so I don’t see it as a problem.
“I do appreciate that FIFA had an agreement with the Qatari government to sell alcohol, but then that turned a U-turn. I am happy enough that I can have a pint with my son.”
Politics on the pitch
FIFA officials have nervously tried to keep the focus in Qatar on the play on the pitch. Mr. Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura issued a memo this month pleading with all 32 teams not to politicize the event or embarrass the host.
“We know football does not live in a vacuum, and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world,” the letter reads. “But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”
Mr. Infantino predicted that things would go smoothly despite this World Cup’s many critics. “Doha is ready. Qatar is ready. It will be the best World Cup ever, of course,” he said.
FIFA’s hopes of keeping politics out of the Cup remain a work in progress.
Despite pressure from global soccer officials, the captains of three European teams that play their first games Monday — England, the Netherlands and Wales — say they intend to wear “One Love” armbands, sporting a heart-shaped logo designed to highlight Qatar’s spotty record on human rights and the treatment of migrant workers.
“I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it,” said star striker Harry Kane, whose English side is set to play Iran in its opening game Monday.
• Hunter Roberts and Kyle Lutz reported from Doha, Qatar, for this article, which is based in part on wire service reports.
• David R. Sands can be reached at dsands@washingtontimes.com.
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