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<p>Over the past two years, the western world pushed inclusivity and sensitivity to the various struggles of groups in society. Simply put, this is a sensible push considering the decades of stereotypes, misunderstandings and violence towards these groups.</p>
<p>Many big-name brands have jumped on board to support, among many things, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. It didn’t just stop at brands. Artists, athletes, sports leagues and more decided to throw their support behind the cause. For what it is worth, FIFA is no different.</p>
<p>FIFA started using slogans like “Say No To Racism” and “Stop racism, stop violence”. FIFA displayed these banners on advertising boards around pitches in countries allowing them. Plus, FIFA encouraged entire teams to kneel before kickoff in conjunction with the voices against racism. Then, international matches and the Premier League featured rainbow-colored armbands. A nice touch towards the LGBTQ+ community to show the players and game stand with them.</p>
<h3>FIFA talks about inclusivity at the World Cup, fails to deliver</h3>
<p>Yet, all of this seems to be for nothing when you look at their actions. Take the biggest example possible in which country is hosting the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 World Cup</a>.</p>
<p>It is no secret that Qatar’s government does not see eye-to-eye with FIFA in its empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. Before this was a concern, however, Qatar already served as a puzzling choice for the World Cup. Brutally hot summers, timing issues and a glaringly poor human rights record are three of the main culprits. Finances plays a huge role in why the World Cup is there. Sepp Blatter, who led FIFA when Qatar won the hosting rights, even admitted this to be a mistake.</p>
<p>FIFA’s World Cup in Qatar will be unlike any other before it. Strict laws in Qatar do not align with much of the western world. For example, there is no alcohol served in stadiums, and the usual party atmosphere of the World Cup follows more caution than anything. The issues regarding LGBTQ+ lives just stack onto that.</p>
<h5>Mixed signals</h5>
<p>Qatar, welcoming the world to a fairly small country, did state it would not restrict the display of pro-LGBTQ+ imagery. That is part of FIFA’s inclusivity policies at the World Cup.</p>
<p>However, in April 2022, a senior official for the Qatar World Cup said there are plans to confiscate pride flags from spectators. Chairman of Qatar’s National Committee General Al Ansari <a href="https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com/sports/soccer/qatari-official-rainbow-flags-may-be-taken-to-protect-fans/">talked to the AP</a> about how it could unfold.</p>
<blockquote><p>“If he (a fan) raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it’s not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him. Because if it’s not me, somebody else around him might attack (him) … I cannot guarantee the behavior of the whole people. And I will tell him: ‘Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.’”</p></blockquote>
<p>In May 2022, some accommodations listed out by FIFA outright refused to provide lodging to same-sex couples. At the same time, other hotels indicated they would accept reservations for same-sex couples, so long as they hid their relationship in public.</p>
<p>The current penalty for not following Qatar’s LGBTQ-based laws is a fine or up to seven years in prison. If you are Muslim and break these rules, the penalty could be death. These laws are a clear point of concern for anyone in the LGBTQ community be it spectators, staff or players.</p>
<h5>LGBTQ+ on the field</h5>
<p>Cultural differences are what make certain areas special, that is just a part of life. However, there is potential for those rules to go against the inclusion FIFA welcomed with its words.</p>
<p>There is more and more representation in sport from members of the LGBTQ+ community. Take Australian Josh Cavallo. He <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/australian-a-league-men/story/4508583/josh-cavallo-coming-out-as-gay-has-taken-me-to-a-new-level">came out to the public</a> back in October 2021. The 22-year-old plays for Adelaide United as a left-back or midfielder. He could face a gut-wrenching decision. With Qatar’s stance on LGBTQ+ set in stone, Cavallo may choose not to go with Australia to ensure his safety or simply avoid being an outsider at the world’s biggest sporting event.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-392906 size-large" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220714_WST_392904_Josh-Cavallo-600x600.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=600" alt="Josh Cavallo" width="600" height="600" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo-560x560.jpg 560w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/Josh-Cavallo.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div>
<p>Despite the inherent dangers listed out for the LGBTQ+ community, Cavallo said he would love to represent Australia. Even then, he understands the risks associated with going to the country. Yet, not every player, staff member or fan that is part of the community is willing to take that risk.</p>
<p>Cavallo is one of the few active players to come out openly as gay. His brave admission came based on freedom of his own identity. He wants to open the door for other players to do the same, should they feel that way. Cavallo received praise and admiration for his actions, including from Zlatan Ibrahimović and Antoine Griezmann. At the time, there were no openly gay males playing professional soccer at a top level in Europe. Then, in 2022, Blackpool forward Jake Daniels became just the second player to openly come out. That was until Blackpool forward, Jake Daniels came out in 2022 and became only the second player to openly come out.</p>
<p>It is surely incorrect to assume that there are just two players in top-flight soccer in the LGBTQ+ community. However, why would players come out knowing that it would draw more attention given the World Cup is in a place like Qatar?</p>
<h5>Talking without purpose</h5>
<p>FIFA can say they’re a progressive organization working to accommodate and include minorities and social groups. Yet, its actions fail to reflect that goal.</p>
<p>Instead, the actions prioritize monetary gain and greed more than they do inclusiveness. It is frankly inconvenient for the players. Plus, this is just one scope on the general slate of issues on the World Cup in Qatar.</p>
<p>A desert World Cup requires fully air-conditioned stadiums to be accessible. The timing disrupts the usual league and cup calendar in Europe, which houses almost all of the greatest players. To top it off, around 6,500 workers died preparing for this World Cup. That, by itself, makes it hard to believe that FIFA cares about minority groups. Horrifyingly enough, this number is on the low end. It does not include the deaths of workers from countries such as Qatar, the Philippines and Kenya. Data from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal revealed there were 5927 deaths of migrant workers between 2010 and 2020 while reports from the Pakistan embassy in Qatar said that 824 deaths of Pakistani workers had been sustained between 2010 and 2020.</p>
<p>On the surface level, FIFA ticks the boxes for inclusivity at the World Cup. Take a step back and look properly at the situation. You see that there is still immense work to be done for the organization at large.</p>
<p>Luckily, brave faces like Australian Josh Cavallo and Englishman Jake Daniels blaze the trail for the next generations.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Dean Mouhtaropoulos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images</em></p>


Approaching the World Cup, FIFA still has major inclusivity issues that could be a problem for players AND fans in Qatar.

FIFA's talk on inclusivity at the World Cup differ from its actions - World Soccer Talk

FIFA's talk on inclusivity at the World Cup differ from its actions

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<p>The Qatar World Cup’s safety concerns are a constant subject of discussion in the soccer world. Social media provides outlets for millions to discuss and learn about how a World Cup in the desert country plays out. All the changes and accommodations for the Qatar World Cup are firsts for the world’s biggest sporting event. Oftentimes, they raise more questions than excitement.</p>
<p>Historically, the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> occurs during the Summer. However, due to Qatar’s topography amid desert heat, FIFA pushed the quadrennial event to the Fall. Even then, forecasts put the average temperature in the range of 85° Fahrenheit (29° Celsius) between November 21 and December 18.</p>
<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/17/ranking-world-cup-2022-stadiums-from-best-to-worst/">Seven of the stadiums</a> are outdoor venues. The lone exception is Al Bayt Stadium, which uses a retractable roof. These newly constructed venues came under the focus on green design and energy-efficient ventilation. Each of the stadiums is within an easy drive of one another. Lusail Stadium, 14 miles north of Doha, is the host of the final and is the central most venue for the country. Lusail Stadium, an 80,000-capacity venue, hosts the World Cup Final on December 18.</p>
<h5>Working conditions in preparation</h5>
<p>The fulcrum of the Qatar World Cup’s safety concerns stem from the 2 million blue-collar workers building infrastructure under reprehensible conditions. Over <a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022">6,000 migrant laborers</a> died during construction. The Qatari government said “the mortality rate among these communities is within the expected range.” <a href="https:\/\/www.gco.gov.qa/en/2021/02/24/gco-statement-guardian-article/">That perplexing quote</a> suggests activists should be satisfied with such tragic consequences. Yet, Qatari officials chastise complaining workers experiencing inhospitable conditions.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https:\/\/www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2019/02/reality-check-migrant-workers-rights-with-two-years-to-qatar-2022-world-cup/">Amnesty International</a>, workers have been “exposed to forced labor.” However, a reform process is underway that supposedly eases the abuse endured by migrant workers.</p>
<p>Furthermore, laborers worked overtime when the exigencies of their organization demanded it. However, employers did not properly compensate the workers for their time. Amnesty further scrutinized FIFA. The organization claimed the world governing body for soccer should take “responsibility to both prevent abuses and to address those that have occurred as a result of their business operations linked to the World Cup.”</p>
<p>Despite FIFA’s admonitions to Qatar, it remains set upon the organizing committees to enforce the reformed regulations upon employers.</p>
<h3>Qatar World Cup’s safety concerns</h3>
<p>Back on March 25, 2021, Germany sent a message during a pregame photo opportunity prior to a qualifier against Iceland. German players spelled out “<a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/26/germany-players-add-support-over-human-rights-before-qatar-world-cup">human rights</a>” across their black shirts.</p>
<p>Following suit, Norwegian and Dutch players practiced similar protests. Moreover, on February 26, 2022, Bundesliga fans flew a “<a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/07/qatar-2022-world-cup-moral-maze-comment">Boycott Qatar 2022</a>” during a game between Freiburg and Hertha Berlin.</p>
<p>Roberto Martinez is the head coach of Belgium, which qualified for the World Cup for the third-straight tournament in 2022. <a href="https:\/\/www.cnn.com/2021/03/26/football/fifa-world-cup-qatar-roberto-martinez-spt-intl/index.html">He offered a different take</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Going to Qatar is a unique opportunity to bring the eyes of the world into any aspects that they are not right in society.”</p></blockquote>
<p>In other words, Coach Martinez predicts that the most prominent sports event sheds light on the issues. The billions of viewers for the World Cup could learn more about the unprecedented amount of controversy.</p>
<p>On the contrary, the World Cup brings Qatar billions of dollars from viewership, advertisements, tourism and hospitality. This is regardless of working conditions or discrimination against women and the LGBTQ community.</p>
<p>The <a href="https:\/\/www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatar-committed-improving-worker-welfare-says-world-cup-2022-organiser-2021-06-23/">organizing committee in Qatar</a> stated “conditions for low paid migrant workers have improved.” According to FARE, a network overseeing discrimination during matches, the Qatari government implements false excuses to guise conservative mandates. Qatar’s faulty reasoning resulted in global scrutiny leading to the World Cup.</p>
<h5>Cultural differences</h5>
<p>Qatar is a small nation with semi-fundamentalist decrees. For example, alcoholic beverages will be permitted in designated areas throughout the World Cup. However, public drinking is punishable with jail time. Therefore, many tourists may exercise prudence before securing tickets and making travel arrangements. Moreover, skin revealing is a sensitive subject in this tiny country along the Persian Gulf. Should a tourist making an excursion to Qatar reveal shoulders or thighs, they can be held subject to arrest and punishment.</p>
<p>LGBTQ fans have qualms about visiting Qatar for the 64 matches. Same-sex relation in a conservative country like Qatar is deemed illicit behavior. Chairman of Qatar’s National Committee General Al Ansari raised eyebrows among LGBTQ activists. He stated that Qatari officials may <a href="https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com/sports/soccer/qatari-official-rainbow-flags-may-be-taken-to-protect-fans/">take away rainbow flags</a>, the symbol of the LGBTQ community, to protect the fan.</p>
<p>“Somebody else around him might attack him.” An interesting order of justice to be dished out. Especially considering FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, says all are welcome in Qatar.</p>
<h5>Traveling Fans</h5>
<p>England head coach Gareth Southgate <a href="https:\/\/www.bbc.com/sport/football/60808633">expressed his concern</a> about the derogation of human rights.</p>
<blockquote><p>“It would be horrible to think some of our fans feel they can’t go because they feel threatened or worried about their safety.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Coach Southgate further emphasized women’s rights and the “great shame” it would bring if female fans of the Three Lions avoided attending the World Cup games out of fear.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, an ominous confusion looms over the head of the World Cup like a cloud. The waving of the rainbow flag appears to be an obtrusive act in Qatar. FIFA Officer Joyce Cook told the Associated Press that “rainbow flags, T-shirts will all be welcome in the stadium.”</p>
<p>With all its connected worries, fans will still travel to Qatar with an obstinate determination. Despite that, Qatar is a nation where religious beliefs are contradictory to LGBTQ rights. In conjunction with FIFA’s reassurance, even if activists indignantly reject the admonitions from General Al Ansari, the 28 nights of the World Cup do not appear to promote the Qatari government.</p>
<p><em>Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images</em></p>


Equal to the teams on the field, the Qatar World Cup's safety concerns are the main talking point ahead of the biggest sporting event.

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FIFA's talk on inclusivity at the World Cup differ from its actions

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