Qatar has officially been selected as the host for 32 teams from different countries that will compete in the 2022 World Cup.
Since Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, numerous false allegations have circulated.
Misbar, for its part, has been looking into any false information shared online about Qatar hosting the tournament.
Qatar to Host the 2022 World Cup
For the first time, the tournament will be held in an Arab country.
After the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, this is the second World Cup to be held in Asia.
The competition will take place for the first time in the winter months of November and December 2022.
Qatar, the smallest nation to host the FIFA World Cup, will host over a million fans.
False Accusations Related to Qatar World Cup
Following its selection to host the World Cup, Qatar has been the target of false claims and accusations from social media users and media outlets.
Misbar tracked the #BoycottQatar2022 hashtag and found many fake posts criticizing the tournament's host country.
Users have widely shared a photo purporting to be an "official statement" from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
The statement reads, “Please forget that we’re Racist, Homophobic, Misogynistic, Corrupt, Terrorist Funding, Slave Masters, because we love football. We promise to not hang any Gays during the matches.”
This statement was not issued by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
There were no similar statements on the committee’s official page.
Did FIFA's President Hold A Book Called “No More Qatar”?
Another photo circulating online purports to show FIFA president Gianni Infantino holding a book with the title "Nooit Meer Qatar- No More Qatar."
However, Infantino's photo has been digitally altered.
The FIFA President is depicted in the original image holding a "Green Card for the Planet."
Are LGBTQ+ Fans Allowed to Attend the World Cup?
In tweets, other users accused Qatar of discriminating against LGBTQ+ community supporters. Many fans were outraged by Qatar's alleged decision to imprison transgender fans during the World Cup.
This accusation was also linked by users to Qatar's main current legal system, Islamic law.
However, Qatar made it clear that visitors must respect Qatari customs and that transgender and LGBT fans will be welcome at the 2022 World Cup.
In a press conference, FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar CEO Nasser al-Khater said, “I would like to assure any fan, of any gender, (sexual) orientation, religion, race to rest assured that Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world — and they'll all be welcome here.”
In an exclusive interview with Sky News Channel, he also reaffirmed his statement.
On September 20, 2022, Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stated that fans will not be discriminated against at the opening session of the 77th UN General Assembly.
“We are opening our doors to the teams and the fans from all over the world to enjoy football and the World Cup atmosphere full of enthusiasm and without discrimination,” the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said.
Misinformation Prior to the Qatar World Cup
Misbar previously debunked numerous allegations attributed to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Misbar’s Sources
FIFA
CNN
France24
France24
Qatar Day
LiverPool
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera English
Middle East Eye
Sky News
Sky News
