The Real Controversy Behind the 2022 FIFA World Cup
…and it’s hiding in plain sight
In just over a day’s time, the greatest sporting party on Earth will make its long-awaited return.
Long regarded as the most prestigious team sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup will return for its 22nd edition on October 21. Controversial perhaps (we’ll come back to that), but with a record-breaking viewership of almost 3.572 billion people during the 2018 World Cup Final, it’s not hard to see why it’s been granted that title.
Since 1930, the World Cup has captured some of the most memorable sporting moments in the world. With that infamous “Hand of God” in 86', Luis Suarez’s red card heroics in South Africa, and that 7–1 home drubbing of Brazil, the tournament has seen it all. And combined with passionate fanbases regularly in attendance from all over the world, with their equally annoying musical instruments (I’m talking about you vuvuzela) it remains a ‘bucket list item’ for many. Myself included.
So for a sport characterized by its diversity, combining people from all races and backgrounds, it always seemed weird when FIFA made the decision to provide the 2022 hosting rights to Qatar. Really weird.
Over the course of FIFA’s history, they’ve been no stranger to controversy. You only need to go as far back as the last World Cup in Russia to get a glimpse of this. But as much as the selection of Russia for 2018 may have ruffled a few feathers, it’s fair to say the controversy surrounding this World Cup far exceeds it.
Yes, I know this news story has been circulating everywhere. And yes, its controversies have been done to death. But putting those controversies aside, the real problem lies with FIFA. The governing body of this World Cup.
And whilst Qatar has taken its fair beating from the public, FIFA has been hiding in plain sight.
Don’t get me wrong, I am opposed to the idea of Qatar hosting this World Cup. A country that stands against inclusivity, denying the same freedoms to women and LGTBI+ people as it does to the male population is not to be tolerated. But these problems existed long before FIFA announced the World Cup would take place in Qatar. And sadly, they will likely exist long after.
Created in 1904, FIFA (or the Federation International de Football Association) is the governing body of the most popular sport in the world. Uniting the 6 continental sporting bodies, most notably UEFA (Europe), CONMEBOL (South America), and CAF (Africa), FIFA is charged with developing the sport of soccer around the world. And in many cases, due to the sports' widespread adoration around the world, it has also been charged with promoting and securing better rights and relations in many countries. This is particularly evident in its role in leading to the end of Apartheid rule in South Africa in 1994.
But as the saying goes, “with great power, comes great responsibility”. And as we all know, it only takes one person, or one rotten egg, to stuff it all up.
Since the turn of the Century, FIFA has become a corruption-riddled mess. Fuelled by the election of Sepp Blatter to President in 1998, famous for his outspoken comments in regard to women, LGBTQI people, and ethnic groups, the organization, whilst massively boosting revenue, has drawn much ire from the public. And despite banning Blatter through a public corruption case in 2015, in the hope of removing the dark stain on FIFA’s proud history, (which largely worked), widespread problems still exist.
Embroiled in concerns over its apparent lack of regard and confrontation of human trafficking (involving young players from humble beginnings falling victim to illegitimate player managers), dodgy labour conditions in the building of sporting facilities in multiple host nations (deaths of immigrant workers in Brazil and more recently Qatar), as well as institutional instability and financial mismanagement (accepting bribing and corruption in the awarding of hosting rights), incumbent President Gianni Infantino, has a long way to go in restoring public confidence in the organization.
And with his involvement in the Panama Papers, a historic legal leak exposing tax evasion, fraud, and legal loopholes used by countless celebrities, alleged illegitimate spending of funds by FIFA, and accusations of special treatment, the controversy surrounding FIFA doesn’t look like ending anytime soon.
So if you’re one of those people who plan on boycotting Qatar 2022, maybe you should think about boycotting every other World Cup too. All the problems behind this World Cup lie in the hands of FIFA, and at the end of the day, they won’t change their ways unless there’s more public pressure on them. But with an event so scintillating and eye-capturing, despite its governing body’s shaky record, I don’t think that’ll be happening anytime soon.
Call me a hypocrite, but whilst I won’t be joining the congregation at Qatar 2022, I’ll be there in Canada, Mexico, USA in 2026.
And I also look forward to watching the 2023 Women’s World Cup in my home country. A country not without its faults and flaws, but one that better embraces diversity and difference. Good choice FIFA!
And at the end of the day, that’s all we’re asking for.
Soccer isn’t called the ‘beautiful game’ for no reason. It’s called the beautiful game because there are no barriers to who can and should be able to play it.
It should stay that way. Take notes FIFA.
Deciding on hosting rights for the centennial of your showcase event is just around the corner.
