For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup is being held in an Arab country. The tournament, which began on November 20, is expected to continue until December 18, with 32 teams participating. During the opening match, the host country Qatar lost to Ecuador 2-0.
The World Cup attracts thousands of spectators and is watched all over the world. However, and event of this importance also leads to a significant increase in misinformation. As the 2022 World Cup takes place, many misleading claims are being circulated on social media. This blog focuses on claims that were debunked by Misbar.
World Cup 2022 Misinformation: Misleading Videos
A lot of misleading claims were related to celebrations of Saudi Arabia’s unexpected win against Argentina. For example, social media users shared a video purporting to show people in Iraq celebrating the Saudi national team’s win over Argentina.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the circulating claim.
However, Misbar’s team found that the video was posted on YouTube on October 4 2022, during Iraqi celebrations of the Iraqi National Day. Citizens waved both the Saudi and Iraqi flags, as can be seen below.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the original video.
Another circulating video was alleged to show Palestinians in Jerusalem celebrating the victory of the Saudi national team, as can be seen below.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the circulating claim.
Although Arab and Palestinian media shared scenes of Palestinians celebrating the victory of Saudi Arabia over Argentina, this specific video clip is old. Misbar found the clip posted on TikTok, on October 16. Although Misbar was unable to confirm the context of the video, the clip precedes the 2022 World Cup.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the original video.
A third similar claim alleges to shows Arab men celebrating Saudi Arabia’s victory.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the circulating claim.
Misbar investigated the video and found the claim to be misleading. The video dates back to December 2019.
The video originally shows fans of the Saudi club Al Hilal celebrating.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the original video.
World Cup 2022 Misinformation: Misleading Images
Many images were also shared with misleading claims. Circulating claims alleged that the below image shows Moroccan and Israeli fans coming together in unity after their arrival in Doha.
Misbar found the claim to be misleading, the photo dates back to 2018. The image is from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Israeli media shared the image in 2018, along with other images that claimed to show unity between the Moroccan and Israeli fans. This came after Moroccan fans tore the Israeli flag at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, in one of the 2018 World Cup matches in Russia.
Photo Description: Israeli websites posted the photo back in June 2018.
Another widely shared claim features a photo that allegedly shows two Argentine women who were sad because Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia.
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The photo is old and completely unrelated to the recent Saudi Arabia and Argentina match, which was held on November 22.
Misbar found that the photo was published by Arab and Western websites back in July 2014. The two Argentine fans looked sad after their team lost to Germany during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Photo Description: Screenshot of the image first posted in July 2014.
Misinformation related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has gone rampant even before the tournament started. Misinformation is expected to maintain this momentum as the World Cup tournament continues. To minimize misinformation, Misbar recommends that readers should remain vigilant and careful about sharing claims.
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