When Qatar was named the host country for the 2022 World Cup in 2010, many were surprised because the country was an almost unknown football nation. But behind the decision was a well-executed campaign from the kingdom where stone-rich Qatar made huge and strategic investments in, among other places, France. Virtually all the people within the International Football Association FIFA who made the decision were later suspected of corruption and some have subsequently said that they regret that Qatar may host the World Cup. Several people in FIFA’s management had to resign in the wake of the scandal.
Dead workers at the construction of arenas for the World Cup
Ahead of the World Cup, Qatar has built a number of extraordinary arenas and a new metro system. According to surveys by the Guardian, at least 6,500 workers have died in the construction work. Human rights organizations criticize the lack of rights for foreign workers in the so-called kafala system, which is seen as a form of modern-day slavery in the Gulf states. The Qatari authorities, on the other hand, claim that working conditions have improved.
Lilleputtlandet Qatar is a diplomatic power
Although Qatar is a small country, the kingdom has great power. Qatar has led negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, with Hamas in Gaza and at the same time has good relations with both the United States and Iran. Through Qatar’s TV channel al-Jazeera, the country has further strengthened its influence worldwide. Under the rule of former leader Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar became the richest country in the world in terms of population. Qatar has huge deposits of natural gas and oil, which laid the foundation for the country’s riches. The country has exclusive shopping habits, for example, Qatar has through its investment fund bought the Harrods department store in London and the world’s most expensive work of art at the time, the Card Players by Cézanne.
Participants: Cecilia Uddén and Johan Mathias Sommarström, Middle Eastern correspondents, Richard Henriksson, football expert Radiosporten
Host: Johar Bendjelloul
Producer: Katja Magnusson
Technician: Sandra Pettersson
Source: ICELAND NEWS