FIFA‘s December 2010 decision to award the 2022 World Cup to hosts Qatar stunned everyone. Many supporters were skeptical when the desert kingdom that had never gone to the World Cup defeated the US, Japan, and Australia in the bidding process.
The government of Qatar has invested about $220 billion in event structures. Qatar’s massive network of low-wage overseas laborers reduces labor expenses. However, the welfare of these workers is very poorly handled by the country.
Human rights activists coined “sports washing” in the 2010s to criticize regimes using high-profile athletic events to boost their global image. It’s everywhere now. For decades, human rights groups worldwide have criticized Qatar’s LBGTQ and women’s rights laws.
The country’s civil law prohibits same-sex sexual contact. Despite seldom being enforced, LGBTQ Qataris say police harass and threaten them. World Cup organizers have assured to safeguard LGBTQ fans. Qatari campaigners worry about LGBTQ travelers’ safety.
FIFA claims that Qatar will be the first tournament without carbon emissions. Stadiums will be dismantled and reused after the event. This alone can impact the world as the cost and materials needed for this are enormous.
Lionel Messi captured his first World Cup?
At nearly 36 years of age this June, Lionel Messi is getting close to the end of his career, so many people thought the World Cup in Qatar would be his last chance to play.
He has scored 13 goals in World Cups, one more than Pele. He is tied for fourth place on the all-time list with Just Fontaine. In Mexico in 1986, Maradona scored five goals, but Messi scored seven in this tournament. In 2014 and 2018, he came close as they reached the finals but lost. Messi has now won every single trophy, both for his club and for his country.
Argentina beat France 4-2 (3-3) in a shootout at the Lusail Stadium to win their third FIFA World Cup. It was a fantastic game. Lionel Messi did an excellent job for his team by scoring two goals and making an easy penalty kick in the shootout.
When Messi lifted the Cup, he became the first player to win the Copa America and the FIFA World Cup at the world level.
Now, he is the most decorated player on the team. Messi will also leave Europe at the end of this season. He’s moving to Inter Miami and the Major League Soccer (MLS). His contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends on June 30.
However, we have not seen the last of the playmaker, as he has not retired from International soccer yet. We might see him in a few more tournaments in the future.