Qatar: Putting Things In Perspective

Qatar: Putting things in perspective

We get targeted by so many damaging stories concerning the hosting of the World Cup by Qatar that it’s easy to overlook the fact that the world’s biggest competition is about to begin.

There is a sense with this World Cup that we’ve lost total perspective. The last World Cup was in Russia, and China, North Korea, and others participated. Beijing has held two recent summers and winter Olympics. Somehow, with Qatar, it seems worse.

Exploiting migrant workers is becoming an increasingly common problem across the world. You might think this is a problem only confined to Qatar. Mexico has hosted the World Cup twice and will do so for a record third time when they host the World Cup with the U.S. and Canada in 2026. Does Mexico have a spotless track record when it comes to the treatment of labourers?

One factor that impacts Qatar’s chance of hosting a successful World Cup is that Qatar is a small country with relatively little international significance. There has been sneering commentary on some major sporting events, such as the World Cup, when they are held in developing nations. For example, the 2010 South Africa World Cup, which attracted much critical coverage in the British press, caused a shortfall in the expected visitor numbers. Likewise, in 1996, the cricket World Cup in India came under similar criticism.

Whenever Muslims and Arabs are involved, the conditions are ripe for what some commentators have deemed “fair game.”

Qatar has put in a lot of hard work to have the chance to host the event, and it’s got bragging rights now that it’s succeeded.

It’s hard trying to enter the competitive global market now, but Qatar is taking a stand and saying it wants to be in the group of world leaders. Other countries will be watching as this World Cup progresses, and one nation is dominating TV airtime. After this event, no introduction will be necessary for Qatar again—that’s how much a good reputation for marketing can do for you!

The Arab world loves football, but it also wants to be a big player and has the financial power to do so. However, it needs to be prepared to adapt and reform. If a World Cup were held in its region for the first time, not only would it generate enormous excitement and international attention, but the Arab world would come into contact with new ideas and ways of doing things.

The World Cup is not just for Western elites, despite what some people might think.