Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Qatar WC chief tells English & Welsh FAs: Focus on your teams, not migrant workers

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Qatar’s World Cup chief has told the English and Welsh FAs to focus on their teams rather than demanding compensation for migrant workers.

In a wide-ranging interview in the capital, Doha, Nasser Al Khater also told Sky News that enduring criticism of the tournament could be considered racist.

He also said that:

Gay fans will be welcome to display affection and rainbow flags;FIFA will have to decide on captains wearing “One Love” armbands while cautioning against “political messages” by teams;Special areas will be created for drunken supporters to sober up;95% of tickets have been sold

The Middle East’s first World Cup opens on 19 November – the culmination of a 12-year journey since Qatar won a widely-tainted FIFA vote.

In that time, Mr Al Khater has risen to chief executive of the supreme committee overseeing Qatar’s planning and been in the firing line of criticism.