Macron says World Cup in Qatar ‘should not be politicized’
2 years, 1 month ago

Macron says World Cup in Qatar ‘should not be politicized’

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that “sports should not be politicized,” days after it was announced — to criticism — that he would attend the World Cup in Qatar if France reaches the semifinals. The World Cup has sparked multiple controversies — from the living conditions of migrant workers to the impact on the environment of air-conditioned stadiums and the place of LGBTQ people, women and minorities. On Monday, the presidential Elysee said Macron will go to the Qatar if the country’s national team reaches the semifinals, specifying that the French president “wrote them a message” to this effect. Last month, the city of Paris said it will not broadcast World Cup matches on giant screens in public fan zones amid concerns about Qatar’s human rights record.

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History of this topic

The absurd image that sums up Fifa’s ‘tinpot dictatorship’ as Saudi Arabia awarded World Cup
1 week, 6 days ago

The absurd image that sums up Fifa’s ‘tinpot dictatorship’ as Saudi Arabia awarded World Cup

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. Fourteen years on, on Thursday 11 December 2024, Fifa’s congress remotely applauded …

After hosting World Cup, Qatar praised by UN rights body for labor law reforms but urged to do more
1 month, 1 week ago

After hosting World Cup, Qatar praised by UN rights body for labor law reforms but urged to do more

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Qatar was praised at the United Nations’ top human rights body on Tuesday for improving labor laws before the 2022 World Cup, though it was urged to fully abolish its employment system for migrant workers. Qatar was urged — or “recommended,” in the formal diplomatic language of the UN rights body — by French delegate Claire Thuaudet to …

FIFA threatens Women’s World Cup broadcast blackout in Europe
1 year, 7 months ago

FIFA threatens Women’s World Cup broadcast blackout in Europe

The Hindu  

Europe’s top soccer nations face a broadcast blackout for this year’s Women’s World Cup unless media can improve on their “disappointing” offers for the rights, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. Offers from “Big 5” European countries were not acceptable to football’s world governing body and a “slap in the face” of the players and “all women worldwide”, Infantino said. “To …

Don't burden athletes with political statements, Dutch King says
1 year, 7 months ago

Don't burden athletes with political statements, Dutch King says

NL Times  

According to King Willem-Alexander, athletes should not be burdened with political statements during a major sporting event, such as during the Football World Cup in Qatar last autumn. The World Cup organizers in Qatar banned the armband, which is a symbol for connnection and against racism and discrimination. “You shouldn’t burden athletes with that,” the King said in the podcast …

French federation to go after abusers of World Cup players
2 years ago

French federation to go after abusers of World Cup players

Associated Press  

PARIS — The French soccer federation wants to go after social media users who targeted some of the national team’s players with racist comments following France’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup final. The federation said Tuesday that some players were hit by “unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks” and that it planned to file a complaint …

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 …

From president on down, France revels before World Cup final
2 years ago

From president on down, France revels before World Cup final

Al Jazeera  

‘I’m backing the France team, and I think that the French are too,’ President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron is scheduled to make the trip to Doha for a second time in one week to attend the Qatar World Cup 2022’s final clash between France and Argentina on Sunday. “I want the French to enjoy this simple happiness.” Macron’s 13,000km round …

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup
2 years ago

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup

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. Greater discrimination within jobs There are around 175,000 domestic workers in Qatar, …

FIFA World Cup: Player protests barely affect Qatar’s bilateral ties with participating nations
2 years ago

FIFA World Cup: Player protests barely affect Qatar’s bilateral ties with participating nations

The Hindu  

Qatar hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup amidst a barrage of protests from players and supporters over LGBTQ rights, human rights violations and other issues. Qatar and UK also have multiple strategic dialogues including the Qatar-UK Strategic Investment Partnership and UK-Qatar Energy Dialogue which, according to the two countries, is meant to ‘forge ever closer cooperation’. Belgian players, in the …

In pictures: Which political cause is allowed in World Cup stadiums? Fans see double standard
2 years ago

In pictures: Which political cause is allowed in World Cup stadiums? Fans see double standard

The Hindu  

When is it and is not it acceptable to display a political banner at the World Cup in Qatar? | Photo Credit: Getty Images But while airing pro-Palestinian sympathies has been allowed - people were even handing out “Free Palestine” T-shirts ahead of Argentina’s match with Poland on Wednesday - security forces have clamped down on fans seeking to show …

Virtue or Signalling? FIFA World Cup 2022 Protests Get Mixed Reaction
2 years ago

Virtue or Signalling? FIFA World Cup 2022 Protests Get Mixed Reaction

News 18  

Human rights protests at the World Cup have drawn everything from sympathy to indifference and outright hostility, with Qatar’s critics often finding themselves in the firing line. FIFA World Cup 2022 Points Table | FIFA World Cup 2022 Schedule | FIFA World Cup 2022 Results | FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot “Put your hands over your mouths and we …

LGBTQ Arabs fear backlash after World Cup 'spotlight'
2 years ago

LGBTQ Arabs fear backlash after World Cup 'spotlight'

New Indian Express  

Gestures in support of the local LGBTQ community have unleashed a torrent of homophobia, activists and community members say, creating new risks for people who have long relied on discretion to survive. "It's not great to live in the shadow, but it's also not great to live under a spotlight," said a 32-year-old entrepreneur from neighbouring Gulf nation Bahrain, who …

Analysis: As Qatar World Cup unfolds, planet keeps spinning
2 years ago

Analysis: As Qatar World Cup unfolds, planet keeps spinning

Associated Press  

LONDON — Soccer — or football, to most of the global billions watching the World Cup this month — is not human society itself, with all its thorny issues. In early November, just weeks before the most heavily scrutinized World Cup in the tournament’s history kicked off in Qatar, top FIFA officials sent a letter urging teams to “let football …

US columnist: Qatar World Cup highlights Western double standards
2 years ago

US columnist: Qatar World Cup highlights Western double standards

China Daily  

People stand in a square ahead of the FIFA 2022 World cup soccer tournament at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar November 15, 2022. Criticisms surrounding Qatar's capacity and worthiness to hold the FIFA World Cup since the tiny Persian Gulf country won the bid has revealed the depths of Western prejudice, performative moral outrage and, perhaps most significantly, gross …

WORLD CUP 2022 | Is criticism of the Qatar World Cup racist?
2 years ago

WORLD CUP 2022 | Is criticism of the Qatar World Cup racist?

The Hindu  

Published : Nov 26, 2022 15:46 IST It seems as though every day, criticism of Qatar, host nation of this month’s football World Cup, grows louder. “But so far, its hosting of the World Cup doesn’t seem to merit the level of negativity we have seen from some Western media outlets.” Abdel Aziz had noticed a strong cultural bias in …

Qatar World Cup officials interrupt live broadcast and order TV crew to leave
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar World Cup officials interrupt live broadcast and order TV crew to leave

Daily Mail  

This is the moment heavy-handed Qatari officials interrupted a live TV broadcast. Qatari officials interrupting a live TV broadcast after telling an Argentinian journalist to stop filming as he interviews a football fan in a wheelchair The TV reporter tries to reason with the unnamed officials after they interrupt his broadcast An official holds up his hand toward a reporter's …

FIFA World Cup: Sports minister urges France to learn from Germany and speak up in One Love armband row
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA World Cup: Sports minister urges France to learn from Germany and speak up in One Love armband row

India Today  

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea Castera has urged the national football team to make themselves heard amid FIFA's threat of sanctions over the "One Love" armband at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. France are not among the seven teams, with French football federation president Noel Le Graet saying it would "follow the guidelines of FIFA". WHAT IS FRANCE'S STANCE …

Denmark reignites European dispute with FIFA at World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

Denmark reignites European dispute with FIFA at World Cup

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — European soccer showed its public frustration with FIFA president Gianni Infantino again Wednesday at the World Cup — this time in the Denmark camp. But let’s see if we can’t have a dialogue.” Denmark’s issues with the FIFA president pre-dated the World Cup, said Møller, who is a member of the UEFA executive committee, but the tensions …

World Cup: German players protest FIFA rainbow ban, call human rights nonnegotiable
2 years, 1 month ago

World Cup: German players protest FIFA rainbow ban, call human rights nonnegotiable

LA Times  

German soccer players cover their mouths as they pose for a group photo before their World Cup Group E match against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. German players placed their hands over the mouths during their pregame photo and wore rainbow-colored stripes on their warmup shirts and cleats before Wednesday’s game with Japan, the …

Hundreds of fans report World Cup ticket woes for 2nd day
2 years, 1 month ago

Hundreds of fans report World Cup ticket woes for 2nd day

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — Handwritten paper tickets were given to some fans to enter a World Cup game on Tuesday as hundreds more in Qatar struggled to retrieve their digital passes amid problems with FIFA’s mobile application for a second day. In front of a sign marked “Ticket Resolution Point” at a convention center in central Doha, fans swapped stories of …

Top US diplomat criticizes FIFA armband threat at World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

Top US diplomat criticizes FIFA armband threat at World Cup

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — America’s top diplomat on Tuesday criticized a decision by FIFA to threaten players at the World Cup with yellow cards if they wear armbands supporting inclusion and diversity. “We know that without workers, including many migrant workers, this World Cup simply would not have been possible,” Blinken said. “Qatar has made meaningful strides in recent years to …

World Cup: Reporter Grant Wahl refused entry to stadium in Qatar over rainbow t-shirt
2 years, 1 month ago

World Cup: Reporter Grant Wahl refused entry to stadium in Qatar over rainbow t-shirt

Daily Mail  

FIFA said players could face being booked and even banned for wearing it It came after some captains reversed the decision to wear OneLove armband In Qatar it is illegal to be gay and the conservative host nation has faced criticism American soccer reporter Grant Wahl claimed he was refused entry to a World Cup stadium in Qatar for wearing …

Barred from stadiums at home, Iranian women attend Football World Cup in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

Barred from stadiums at home, Iranian women attend Football World Cup in Qatar

Firstpost  

The question of whether to root for the national team has divided Iranians as the team becomes entangled in the country’s combustible politics. “I’ve never attended a football match in my life so I had to take this chance,” said Mariam, a student of international relations who like other Iranian women at the match declined to give her last name …

Qatar World Cup begins amid fan criticism as FIFA boss intervenes
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar World Cup begins amid fan criticism as FIFA boss intervenes

China Daily  

A FIFA World Cup trophy replica is pictured on the pitch as fireworks go off ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on Sunday. ODD ANDERSEN/AFP Global soccer's biggest event, the FIFA World Cup, began in Qatar on Sunday, but many fans …

Qatar World Cup opens with message of inclusivity amid backdrop of controversy
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar World Cup opens with message of inclusivity amid backdrop of controversy

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 Qatar’s controversial World Cup kicked off on Sunday …

'I Feel Qatari': FIFA Head Rips Europe For Qatar Human Rights Uproar In Bizarre Speech
2 years, 1 month ago

'I Feel Qatari': FIFA Head Rips Europe For Qatar Human Rights Uproar In Bizarre Speech

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The head of the world soccer governing body FIFA in a bizarre speech on Saturday blamed Europe for triggering the controversy over human rights abuses in Qatar, this year’s World Cup host. Amnesty International harshly criticized Infantino after his remarks, saying he was guilty of “brushing aside legitimate human rights criticisms” and “dismissing the enormous price paid …

FIFA president Gianni Infantino lashes out at critics of World Cup hosts Qatar in a shameful speech
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA president Gianni Infantino lashes out at critics of World Cup hosts Qatar in a shameful speech

Daily Mail  

Gianni Infantino took his seat in the cavernous media theatre and, slowly, shook his head. Gianni Infantino hit out at critics of the host nation before appearing to compare his own experience to that of the marginalised Infantino said that if Europe 'really cared' about the migrant workers they would do as Qatar did in creating 'legal channels' for them …

FIFA president slams Western ‘hypocrisy’ over Qatar criticism
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA president slams Western ‘hypocrisy’ over Qatar criticism

Al Jazeera  

In fiery news conference, Gianni Infantino said Western countries were not in a position to give ‘moral lessons’. Doha, Qatar – FIFA President Gianni Infantino accused Western countries of “hypocrisy” saying they were not in a position to give “moral lessons” to other nations, hours before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has accused Western …

DC Edit | Does Qatar deserve this Cup?
2 years, 1 month ago

DC Edit | Does Qatar deserve this Cup?

Deccan Chronicle  

As the greatest show on turf, beginning on Sunday at the Al-Bayt stadium to end in a grand finale on Dec. 18 at the iconic Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, billions of fans of the world’s most popular sport will be glued to their television sets, following the fortunes of their national team or their favourites at the 2022 Fifa …

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 …

Emmanuel Macron says FIFA World Cup in Qatar ‘should not be politicised’
2 years, 1 month ago

Emmanuel Macron says FIFA World Cup in Qatar ‘should not be politicised’

The Hindu  

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that “sports should not be politicised,” days after it was announced — to criticism — that he would attend the World Cup in Qatar if France reaches the semifinals. Speaking in Bangkok, Macron said issues about Qatar’s human rights record and the environment were “questions you have to ask yourself when you award …

Culture clash? Conservative Qatar preps for FIFA World Cup party
2 years, 1 month ago

Culture clash? Conservative Qatar preps for FIFA World Cup party

The Hindu  

On the Instagram accounts of fashion models and superstars last month, the sheikhdom of Qatar looked like one glittering party. Qataris went online to vent their anger about what they called a dangerous and depraved revelry, saying it threatened Qatar's traditional values ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The episode underscores the tensions tearing at Qatar, a conservative Muslim …

Qatar’s World Cup denounced for ‘washing’ country’s image
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar’s World Cup denounced for ‘washing’ country’s image

Associated Press  

Qatar’s decision to launch itself into hosting the 2022 World Cup was a head-scratcher from the start. “The Qatar World Cup kickstarted discussion about sportswashing and human rights in football and it has been very steep learning curve for us all,” Norway soccer federation president Lise Klaveness said at a recent Council of Europe event. Germany’s interior minister also expressed …

‘We are not happy’: Bruno Fernandes criticises staging of Qatar World Cup
2 years, 1 month ago

‘We are not happy’: Bruno Fernandes criticises staging of Qatar World Cup

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 Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has …

Politics of Israel and Iran ensnare 1st World Cup in Mideast
2 years, 1 month ago

Politics of Israel and Iran ensnare 1st World Cup in Mideast

Associated Press  

JERUSALEM — Qatar may hope soccer fans ignore politics at the first World Cup in the Middle East. “The sign that Qatar is letting Israelis travel there for the World Cup is an indication that they’re willing to soften their stance on Israel,” said Emmanuel Navon, a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies. “There’s only this one …

Qatar says it won’t prosecute drunk football fans, LGBTI during World Cup: Report
2 years, 1 month ago

Qatar says it won’t prosecute drunk football fans, LGBTI during World Cup: Report

NL Times  

Qatar won’t prosecute football fans for being drunk or people from the LGBTQIA+ community for showing affection in public during the FIFA World Cup, AD reports based on a document in its possession. The police will be “lenient to conduct that does not threaten physical integrity or property.” Drunk fans will, in principle, be allowed to enjoy themselves unhindered, except …

LGBT Activists Protest at FIFA Museum Ahead of FIFA World Cup in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

LGBT Activists Protest at FIFA Museum Ahead of FIFA World Cup in Qatar

News 18  

A few dozen people protested in front of the FIFA Museum in Zurich on Tuesday to press for the rights of the LGBT+ community ahead of the World Cup hosted by Gulf state Qatar. The All Out group that organised the protest said the demonstration aimed to “make sure FIFA and Qatar know the world is watching and that citizens …

FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politics
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politics

Associated Press  

GENEVA — FIFA’s top officials have urged the 32 teams preparing for the most political World Cup in the modern era to focus on the game in Qatar and avoid handing out lessons in morality. A letter urging teams to “let football take center stage” was sent by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura ahead of intense …

Fifa tells World Cup teams to avoid ‘ideological or political battles’ in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

Fifa tells World Cup teams to avoid ‘ideological or political battles’ in Qatar

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 Football’s top officials have urged the 32 teams …

FIFA pleads with World Cup nations to 'focus on football' in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA pleads with World Cup nations to 'focus on football' in Qatar

The Hindu  

FIFA have written to World Cup teams urging them to focus on the football in Qatar and not let the sport be dragged into ideological or political "battles". The letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the governing body's secretary general Fatma Samoura follows a number of protests made by World Cup teams, on issues ranging from LGBTIQ rights to …

From LGBTQI rights to migrant workers: FIFA pleads with World Cup teams not to drag politics at 2022 Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

From LGBTQI rights to migrant workers: FIFA pleads with World Cup teams not to drag politics at 2022 Qatar

India Today  

FIFA has pleaded with the World Cup teams, urging them to now focus on football instead of dragging ideological or political differences at the 2022 Qatar. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samour wrote a letter to 32 participating nations after the teams made several protests on issues ranging from LGBTQI+ rights to the treatment of migrant workers. …

KNVB discussing FIFA's call to focus on football, not human rights in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

KNVB discussing FIFA's call to focus on football, not human rights in Qatar

NL Times  

The Dutch football association KNVB will internally discuss the letter that the global federation FIFA sent to the 32 countries participating in the World Cup this week. FIFA called on the participants to focus on football at the World Cup in Qatar and not to participate in “ideological and political battles that exist in the world.” A spokesperson for the …

FIFA urges World Cup teams to ‘focus on the football’ in Qatar
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA urges World Cup teams to ‘focus on the football’ in Qatar

Al Jazeera  

FIFA asks participating nations to reserve judgement in the face of protests over LGBTQ issues and migrant worker rights. The international football governing body has sent a letter to all 32 World Cup teams, urging them to “focus on the football” in Qatar and not let the sport “be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”. The letter …

FIFA send letter to World Cup teams asking them NOT to focus on Qatar's human rights issues
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA send letter to World Cup teams asking them NOT to focus on Qatar's human rights issues

Daily Mail  

FIFA chiefs Gianni Infantino and Fatma Samoura have sent a letter to all 32 World Cup nations pleading with them to stick to football when the tournament kicks-off. The build-up to the competition, which starts in Qatar on November 20, has been overshadowed by a raft of social issues surrounding the Islamic nation's human rights record. And Sportsmail understands, FIFA …

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’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'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

The Hindu  

Qatar's ruling Emir on October 25 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. Since winning hosting rights for the World Cup over a decade ago, Qatar has faced scrutiny and criticism for its treatment of migrant …

Qatar emir slams ‘ferocious’ campaign against World Cup host
2 years, 2 months 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 …

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