The 2022 World Cup is in full swing, captivating global attention as always. Yet, the decision to hold this edition in Qatar has sparked relentless criticism, echoing past objections whenever this grand event takes place.
Qatar's selection as host has been met with harsh judgments, casting doubt on its suitability for such an honor. So, why does the chorus of disapproval persist? What renders Qatar unsuitable for hosting the World Cup?
At the heart of the matter lies the fate of migrant workers, an issue steeped in alleged Human Rights (HAM) violations during preparations for the 2022 World Cup. Tragically, numerous reports cite the deaths of approximately 6,000 migrant workers since Qatar secured the World Cup bid.
These victims were part of the workforce dedicated to readying Qatar for the World Cup, including those engaged in stadium construction projects. Amnesty International's findings underscored the presence of human rights transgressions in Qatar's World Cup endeavors.
Most of the deceased migrant workers hailed from South Asian countries like Nepal and India. The fatalities attributed to international scrutiny and outrage shed light on a distressing reality: in an Islamic state like Qatar, the kafala system prevails—a system akin to a form of indentured servitude.
The kafala system, pervasive not just in Qatar but throughout much of the Middle East, compels migrant workers into grueling 12-hour shifts for meager wages below the minimum standard. Furthermore, these workers endure perilous working conditions.
While figures regarding the number of migrant worker casualties vary, the crux of the issue remains unchanged. No life should be sacrificed in the name of sports, football included. For every life lost is a life too many.
Not long ago, Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA President, openly expressed remorse over selecting Qatar as the host for the 2022 World Cup. One rationale behind this regret is Qatar's diminutive size, a fact that holds true and bears no mistake. Indeed, Qatar stands as a notably narrow country.
This Gulf State encompasses merely 11,571 square kilometers, an expanse even less than a quarter of Papua Province's sprawling 81 thousand square kilometers. Essentially, Qatar takes the mantle as the smallest nation ever to host the World Cup.
In contrast, consider Russia, the prior year's World Cup host, sprawling over approximately 17.1 million square kilometers. Brazil, the host four years before that, spans an area of about 8.5 million square kilometers. Even South Africa, positioned at the southernmost tip of the African continent, covers a landmass of 1.22 million square kilometers.
However, this condensed nature presents challenges. The World Cup stands as the grandest football celebration worldwide, drawing throngs of foreign visitors keen on supporting their nations. They converge upon the host country, yet Qatar's narrowness raises questions about its ability to accommodate these influxes. While feasible, it risks creating congested pockets throughout the nation.
Indeed, the stadiums lie within close proximity, mere hours apart. Fans can utilize various modes of transportation, including ground transit, enabling them to witness multiple games daily.
Yet, this convenience bears consequences. It leads to gridlock. Fans are bound to encounter substantial congestion within this Gulf state, impacting not only migrants and football enthusiasts but also indigenous residents unassociated with FIFA's agenda.
Qatar, a nation devoid of a football legacy, grapples with a significant infrastructure deficit, presenting another hurdle. The Gulf state's infrastructure is notably deficient, lacking the robustness required to sustain the grandeur of the World Cup. What infrastructure exists is woefully sparse.
Consider the stadiums, for instance. Qatar stands as the host country with the fewest venues in World Cup history, boasting a mere eight stadiums. Many of these stadiums were either newly constructed or underwent extensive renovations exclusively for the World Cup.
This underscores Qatar's lack of pre-existing stadiums meeting World Cup standards. Constructing such facilities demands exorbitant finances. To meet these standards, Qatar must allocate a staggering $220 billion USD (approximately Rp3.4 quadrillion) toward building stadiums, hotels, and additional infrastructure.
While perhaps insignificant to Qatar's financial prowess, this expenditure appears extravagant—a colossal investment for an event spanning less than a month. By contrast, in 2010, South Africa managed its World Cup preparations with a comparatively modest budget of $3.5 billion USD.
Qatar, known for its scorching climate, boasts temperatures so intense that the hood of a car could supposedly fry an egg. Even during winter, Qatar can sizzle at a staggering 50 degrees Celsius, a blistering heat that European participants, in particular, struggle to acclimate to.
In response, innovative solutions like stadium air conditioning and cloud manipulation have emerged. Yet, navigating tournaments in such searing heat poses significant challenges. Theo Zwanziger, a former German football president and FIFA Executive Committee member, highlighted how Qatar's heat not only complicates gameplay but also presents health risks for fans enduring these conditions.
The decision to shift the World Cup to winter has disrupted the football calendar, causing interruptions in ongoing competitions. Clubs are compelled to release players for national duties, affecting their fitness and risking potential injuries that could impede their return to club competitions.
Moreover, Qatar's selection as host remains clouded by allegations of bribery and corruption. The 2010 vote that awarded Qatar the 2022 World Cup allegedly involved internal FIFA disputes. Numerous claims surfaced, implicating corrupt practices in Qatar's bidding process, coupled with political and economic agreements between nations.
These allegations led to sanctions against numerous FIFA officials, including bans from future involvement in organizing football events. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter faced corruption charges, while the arrest of Michel Platini, a former French player and ex-UEFA President, linked to bribery associated with the Qatar World Cup, further deepened the controversy.
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