12 October 2022

Enjoy World Cup 2022 Responsibly

It's been well-reported in the media that Qatar has no business hosting a World Cup. Released in May 2022, an Amnesty International report details how FIFA granted hosting rights to Qatar without consideration for the well-documented exploitation of the huge migrant labor force, or human rights of workers. Nor were any conditions or guarantees imposed in the process of awarding hosting rights to Qatar. FIFA has subsequently abdicated any responsibility or authority to prevent or mitigate the completely predictable consequences. These include:

Unreimbursed recruitment fees
Unpaid wages
Forced labor
Unsafe working conditions
Death and injury, with families of largely uncompensated

More than 6,500 migrant workers have died since the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar in 2010.

^{The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022}

In light of these abuses, supporting this World Cup is immoral. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy the sporting event while reducing or eliminating

Don't Pay to Watch

Here in Washington, DC, at least some matches will be shown outdoors, such as USA v Wales on Nov 21.
A bar, restaurant or brewery might be a good option where fewer of your dollars go to FIFA and its cronies.
FOX and Telemundo may be showing matches free over air.
You can always choose to watch less or none at all for a full viewing boycott.

Boycott Sponsors

Actively avoid sponsors of the World Cup:
- Adidas
- BYJU’s
- Budweiser
- Coca-Cola
- Hisense
- Hyundai
- McDonalds
- Qatar Airways
- Visa
- Vivo
- Wanda Group
Better yet, contact these sponsors and let them know that you're boycotting their products because of their sponsorship of this World Cup.

Support Teams that Speak Out

Denmark will be wearing a monochromatic uniform at the tournament as a tribute to the migrant workers who have died.
Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands staged protests on the field before their recent qualifying matches.
Some of Wales' staff will be boycotting the tournament because of gay rights.