Qatar's residents squeezed as World Cup rental demand soars
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar's residents squeezed as World Cup rental demand soars

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s among the biggest questions facing fans traveling to tiny Qatar for the World Cup amid a feverish rush for rooms in Doha. “Landlords are taking full advantage of the situation and there’s nothing in place to support the people who already live here,” said Mariam, a 30-year-old British resident whose landlord refused to renew her annual contract in September, then quadrupled her monthly rent — from 5,000 Qatari riyals to 20,000 riyals. “You’re committed to either staying and paying the extra or leaving and not knowing whether you’re going to have anywhere to live,” said a British teacher whose landlord hiked his rent by 44%. It’s very disturbing.” Energy-rich Qatar has spared no expense in its grand plans for the first World Cup in the Arab world, promising that locals and expat residents will enjoy a lasting legacy, too.

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History of this topic

Analysis: Six key takeaways from the Qatar World Cup
2 years ago

Analysis: Six key takeaways from the Qatar World Cup

Al Jazeera  

From the end of the Messi saga to the first Arab tournament, and the mixing of politics and sports – here’s what FIFA, and the rest of us, will have to think about. Having the World Cup in the Middle East allowed people from the region to have a tournament which they could attend and not feel foreign. It allowed …

Fans wrestle with a (largely) beer-free World Cup in Qatar
2 years ago

Fans wrestle with a (largely) beer-free World Cup in Qatar

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — Let’s be clear: They definitely wanted beer. So a group of guys from Nottinghamshire, England – veterans of boozy soccer matches back home — fumed when they discovered no beer would be sold until halftime of the Brazil-Croatia game at the main Doha fan zone, one of the few places where World Cup fans can have alcohol. …

Watching the World Cup with Qatar’s migrant workers and hearing about their lives
2 years ago

Watching the World Cup with Qatar’s migrant workers and hearing about their lives

New York Times  

Inside a cricket stadium on the outskirts of Doha, hundreds of men gather together. Asian Town is a shopping and entertainment complex close to “Labour City”, which opened in 2015 and accommodates close to 70,000 migrant workers who assisted the construction projects that were critical to the state’s World Cup. Migrant workers have helped build Qatar's World Cup from scratch …

In a stadium of their own, migrant workers say their sweat made World Cup happen
2 years, 1 month ago

In a stadium of their own, migrant workers say their sweat made World Cup happen

The Hindu  

Published : Nov 21, 2022 16:09 IST Taking selfies from the stands and sitting on the grassy pitch, thousands of migrant workers gathered in a Doha stadium to watch the opening match of the first World Cup in West Asia. Rights groups have accused authorities of failing to protect lower-income workers - including those who built the stadiums and hotels …

Thousands of Qatar fans appear to leave World Cup opener at half-time
2 years, 1 month ago

Thousands of Qatar fans appear to leave World Cup opener at half-time

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thousands of Qatar fans appeared to leave at …

'Things are very disappointing': Eric Dier raises doubts about Qatar's migrant workers crisis
2 years, 1 month ago

'Things are very disappointing': Eric Dier raises doubts about Qatar's migrant workers crisis

Daily Mail  

The Spurs star is in contention to start England's opener against Iran on Monday Dier insisted the situation was 'difficult for players' to handle in Qatar The defender believes players shouldn't be the ones facing political questions Eric Dier has vowed to learn more about the political circumstances marring the upcoming World Cup in Qatar as he admitted players featuring …

World Cup: FIFA officials 'told hotel isn't ready' before arrival in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

World Cup: FIFA officials 'told hotel isn't ready' before arrival in Qatar

Daily Mail  

Qatar's World Cup organisers have reportedly been left red-faced after a luxury five-star hotel due to house top FIFA executives wasn't finished on time. Qatar World Cup organisers were left embarrassed after hotel rooms for top-ranking FIFA officials in the luxury Fairmont - located inside the Katara Towers - weren't ready on time The FIFA delegates were instead accommodated here …

FIFA World Cup Qatar and migrant workers: The controversy that isn't
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA World Cup Qatar and migrant workers: The controversy that isn't

India Today  

After the 2018 mega FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2022 FIFA is all set to be hosted by Qatar, a country most people hadn’t even heard about. With that, Qatar became the first country in the Middle East to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events, beating stiff competition from the United States, Australia, UK, Japan and South …

Why Qatar is a controversial host for the World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

Why Qatar is a controversial host for the World Cup

NPR  

Why Qatar is a controversial host for the World Cup Enlarge this image toggle caption Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images The selection of Qatar to host this year's FIFA World Cup brought cheers to the streets of Doha in a celebration of the first edition of the tournament to be held …

Qatar hoping to show its football passion as World Cup host
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar hoping to show its football passion as World Cup host

The Hindu  

Qatar made a promise to fans 12 years ago when it started campaigning to host the World Cup: We love football just like you, so come and enjoy it with us. The message acknowledged there would be sceptics that a tiny emirate whose team had never been to a World Cup — never played a qualifying game until 1977 — …

Qatar unveils 6,000 cabin World Cup fan village near airport
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar unveils 6,000 cabin World Cup fan village near airport

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar has unveiled a 6,000-cabin fan village in an isolated lot near its airports, an offering for housing toward the lower end of what’s available for the upcoming World Cup, which is just days away from starting. “Most of the fan they prefer if it’s not a hotel, they prefer the apartment and villa,” al-Jaber said, noting …

Blatter says picking Qatar as World Cup host was a ‘mistake’
2 years, 1 month ago

Blatter says picking Qatar as World Cup host was a ‘mistake’

The Hindu  

Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake 12 years ago, FIFA’s president at the time Sepp Blatter said on Tuesday, again citing a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes. “It’s a country that’s too small,” Mr. Blatter said of Qatar, the smallest host by size since the 1954 tournament in Switzerland. Qatar’s …

Sepp Blatter says picking Qatar as World Cup host was a ‘mistake’
2 years, 1 month ago

Sepp Blatter says picking Qatar as World Cup host was a ‘mistake’

The Hindu  

Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake 12 years ago, FIFA’s president at the time Sepp Blatter said Tuesday, again citing a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes. “It’s a country that’s too small,” Blatter said of Qatar, the smallest host by size since the 1954 tournament in Switzerland. It became part …

EXPLAINER: Qatar’s vast wealth helps it host FIFA World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

EXPLAINER: Qatar’s vast wealth helps it host FIFA World Cup

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Qatar is home to some 2.9 million people, but only a small fraction — around one in 10 — are Qatari citizens. They enjoy massive wealth and benefits fueled by Qatar’s shared control of one of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas. Here’s a look at Qatar’s economy and how this tiny country was …

Pub Owners in Germany to Boycott Telecast of Qatar's FIFA World Cup Games
2 years, 1 month ago

Pub Owners in Germany to Boycott Telecast of Qatar's FIFA World Cup Games

News 18  

Some pub owners in Germany will not be showing matches of the upcoming Qatar World Cup, saying they took the decision from “an ethical standpoint" given the Gulf state’s record on human rights. “Too many human rights were violated and from an ethical standpoint, I can’t justify it," Fanny Delaune, owner of “Babel" sports bar in Bonn, told Reuters. “Not …

Qatar World Cup: Migrant workers given just two hours to leave Doha apartments
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar World Cup: Migrant workers given just two hours to leave Doha apartments

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Qatar has evicted thousands of …

World Cup 2022: What to do, see and eat in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

World Cup 2022: What to do, see and eat in Qatar

LA Times  

It was 115 degrees on the summer day I arrived in Qatar. Images of Neymar, Andre Ayew and Dušan Tadić on 2022 FIFA World Cup posters covering West Bay skyscrapers in Doha, Qatar. What to do and see in Qatar besides the World Cup People walk along an alley in in Doha’s Souq Waqif. Inside, a projector beams a passage …

Qatar’s emir lashes out at criticism ahead of FIFA World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar’s emir lashes out at criticism ahead of FIFA World Cup

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s ruling emir on Tuesday lashed out at criticism of his country over its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing it as an “unprecedented campaign” targeting the first Arab nation to hold the tournament. The alleged abuses affecting legions of low-paid laborers who power Qatar’s economy and who built its gleaming World Cup stadiums have …

Qatar emir slams ‘ferocious’ campaign against World Cup host
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar emir slams ‘ferocious’ campaign against World Cup host

Al Jazeera  

Sheikh Tamim points to an ‘unprecedented campaign no host country has ever faced’ in the lead-up to the tournament. Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says his country has faced an “unprecedented campaign” of criticism in the lead-up to this year’s football World Cup. “Since we won the honour of hosting the World Cup, Qatar has been subjected …

World Cup fans could bring political tensions to quiet Qatar
2 years, 2 months ago

World Cup fans could bring political tensions to quiet Qatar

Associated Press  

Qatar is a devoutly apolitical place, with speech and assembly heavily restricted and a large population of foreign workers who could lose their livelihoods if they cause a stir. But that could change next month, when an estimated 1.2 million soccer fans descend on the tiny Gulf Arab nation for the World Cup. U.S.-based Freedom House, which surveys democratic change …

'Being gay is against human nature!': Shocking views of Qatari teacher who was Beckham's interpreter
2 years, 2 months ago

'Being gay is against human nature!': Shocking views of Qatari teacher who was Beckham's interpreter

Daily Mail  

Gliding through Doha’s dazzlingly futuristic cityscape on Monday morning, in a limousine provided by the Qatari government, David Beckham might have allowed himself a self-satisfied smile. David Beckham sits with Madame Shams Al Qassabi and her daughter Eman Beckham is pictured on a glossy billboard in Doha, the capital of the world's richest state Beckham controversially signed a £10million deal …

Exploring Qatar’s eight World Cup 2022 stadiums and what fans can expect in November
2 years, 4 months ago

Exploring Qatar’s eight World Cup 2022 stadiums and what fans can expect in November

New York Times  

Abdulaziz Al Ishaq is frustrated. “Whatever you say is not acceptable.” The World Cup is just months away and the Al Janoub Stadium manager is showing a group of reporters around his pride and joy, the air-conditioned venue that will host seven games, including the holders France’s opening game against Australia on November 22. “Qatar has been in the spotlight …

Qatar’s World Cup legacy has to go beyond a spectacular vanity project – but will it?
2 years, 4 months ago

Qatar’s World Cup legacy has to go beyond a spectacular vanity project – but will it?

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. You will be proud of us, you will be proud of the …

Qatar to House Some FIFA World Cup fans in 'Traditional Tents'
2 years, 6 months ago

Qatar to House Some FIFA World Cup fans in 'Traditional Tents'

News 18  

Qatar hopes to house some of the 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup later this year in 1,000 “traditional tents”, organisers said on Tuesday. “This is one of the options that will go live in the next two weeks,” said Omar al-Jaber, an official responsible for accommodation at the supreme committee organising the tournament. “We need …

Qatar ruler hits back at anti-Arab attacks on World Cup
2 years, 7 months ago

Qatar ruler hits back at anti-Arab attacks on World Cup

The Hindu  

Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday hit out at what he called unprecedented attacks on Qatar becoming the first Arab country to host the World Cup. With the Gulf state facing questions about the treatment of foreign workers and the rights of women and the LGBTQ community, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani acknowledged that Qatar was …

Qatar and FIFA criticized harshly ahead of World Cup draw
2 years, 8 months ago

Qatar and FIFA criticized harshly ahead of World Cup draw

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — World Cup host Qatar and FIFA received scathing criticism from within soccer on Thursday, a day before the tournament’s draw. “In 2010, the World Cup was awarded by FIFA in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences,” Klaveness, who is gay, said in a six-minute speech. “You did not attempt to contact us and did not attempt to engage …

FIFA World Cup 2022: Hosts Qatar hit back at 'ridiculous' attack by Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal
2 years, 8 months ago

FIFA World Cup 2022: Hosts Qatar hit back at 'ridiculous' attack by Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal

Firstpost  

Van Gaal said this week that it was “ridiculous” for the World Cup to be held in Qatar and that FIFA had only been motivated by money. Doha: Qatar’s top World Cup organiser has hit back at Louis van Gaal for criticising the decision to hold the event in the Gulf state, saying the Netherlands coach has failed to understand …

Ticketless fans may struggle for hotels during Qatar World Cup
2 years, 9 months ago

Ticketless fans may struggle for hotels during Qatar World Cup

Al Jazeera  

The Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers have launched an official accommodation portal for the tournament with ticket-holders as priority, meaning visitors arriving in Qatar without match tickets may not be able to secure a place to stay. “Fans can book accommodation via the dedicated portal which will offer various options such as apartments, villas and cruise ships,” Omar al-Jaber, Executive …

FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar hopes to attract 1.2 million visitors for showpiece event
3 years, 2 months ago

FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar hopes to attract 1.2 million visitors for showpiece event

Firstpost  

Qatar, with a population of approximately 2.75 million, will be the first ever Middle East World Cup host nation between 21 November and 18 December next year. Doha: Organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar hope to attract 1.2 million tourists to the Gulf country, an official said, hosting them in traditional hotels and “innovative” accommodation. “We hope that …

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