IRIA News

For the last four weeks, Doha remained at the center of global attention for hosting the biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2022. The colossal affair came to an end as the captain of the Argentinian national team, Lionel Messi, lifted the trophy made of solid gold. Argentina defeated France through a penalty shootout in a match described by many as an ‘epic’ world cup final.

Behind the scene at the shiny and glamorous stadiums of Qatar, many notable figures were seen attending the thrilling contest. Most prominent was French President Emmanuel Macron, who came to support his national team as they played the final match at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022. He was seen reacting passionately throughout the game and made his way onto the pitch after to console the French players. Macron also shared the stage with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hammad and handed out runner-up medals to the French team.

44-year-old soccer-loving president of France made it clear that his sole purpose for visiting Qatar was to watch the game, but Macron also met with Qatari officials on the sidelines of the match. The France-Qatar relationship dates back to the emirate’s independence in the 1970s. The two countries have shared interests in a broad range of political, economic, and security issues as well as agreements involving oil contracts, arms sales, and cultural exchanges. The two countries also share a lot on the soccer front. Leading French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain has been owned by Qatar Sports Investments for more than 11 years. France also played a significant role in providing Qatar with the opportunity to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also present during one of the world Cup matches where the United States played against Wales. He watched the match from the VIP enclosure and cheered for his team as Tim Weah, the 22-year-old son of Liberian President George Weah, scored a goal for the U.S. national soccer team. Despite being the son of the Liberian president, Tim Weah has chosen to play for the U.S. team. Through his residency and parent’s citizenship, Tim Weah is eligible to play for the United States, Liberia, Jamaica, and France.

Blinken also met with his Qatari counterpart and several other high-level officials. During his post-meeting media talk, he rejected the criticism that his appearance in Qatar would contribute to the debate about human rights that surrounded the whole event. Some activists have denounced Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and LGBTQ people as a violation of basic human rights.

Blinken’s visit to Qatar during the world cup indicated the difficulties that the Biden administration is facing in balancing relations with the oil-rich state of Qatar. With Saudi Arabia making a clear tilt towards China, Qatar has emerged as Washington’s most valuable partner in the Middle East. President Biden declared Qatar a “major non-NATO ally,” and U.S. officials had to rely on it to facilitate exchanges with Iran, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the Palestinians.

Despite gathering global criticism for its policies toward migrant laborers and LGBTQ people, Qatar-U.S. relations are getting stronger under the Biden administration. During his visit, the secretary made pointed statements about both issues. “We appreciate the work that Qatar has done to improve labor practices.” He said during a media talk. “Our hope and expectation [is] that some of the progress that’s been made continues and expands after the World Cup is over.”

Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also flew to Doha on December 18, 2022, to watch the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Erdogan arrived in Qatar at the invitation of Qatari Emir Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Although Turkiye’s national team was not able to qualify for the final event of the world cup, soccer lover Erdogan was present in Doha during the opening ceremony along with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman did not return to watch the final match. He met with the Qatari Emir on the sidelines of the match.

Erdogan was accompanied by several officials as well as Youth and Sports Minister Muharrem Kasapoglu, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin.

FIFA rejected Zelenskyy’s request to broadcast a peace message

Billions of people tuned in to watch the final faceoff between France and Argentina on December 18, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to utilize the opportunity to promote his message of peace through a short video message. However, FIFA’s governing body rejected the last-minute proposal. Kyiv has repeatedly tried to use major world events, regardless of their theme, to keep the global spotlight on the war in Ukraine.

Although FIFA rejected to broadcast Zelenskyy’s video message, the short video made its way through social media. Even though FIFA blocked this message from being aired at the stadium before the final game in Qatar, the world still heard our appeal, Zelensky said in a video address to Ukrainians.

FIFA has gone to extreme lengths to keep political messaging away from its sporting events, especially during the 2022 world cup. Qatar, the first Middle Eastern nation ever to stage the event, was the center of criticism way before the event even started due to the alcohol ban and anti-LGBTQ laws.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended Qatar’s position and responded with an explosive tirade shortly before the tournament began. He accused Europe and the West of hypocrisy and not respecting Qatar’s culture and values. At a news conference before the event, Infantino said FIFA had stopped some “political statements” in Qatar because it has to “take care of everyone.” He said that “We are a global organization and we don’t discriminate against anyone.”

– Syed Bahadur Abbas