The FIFA World Cup has been the event of the month. However, while most people are caught up in the game and what team will take the trophy home, human rights are being defiled. 

When Qatar was selected to host the 2022 World Cup 12 years ago, many expressed concerns on the matter, since they had multiple allegations of neglecting their migrant workers, which make up 95% of their labor force. In preparation for this event, 6,500 people died because of the inhumane working conditions and summer climate that exceeded 100 degrees. 

“Aside from the fact that the building of stadiums for events like the World Cup and Olympics is unsustainable, I really believe that the World Cup being in Qatar is based on greed and ignorance,” senior Gianna Silar said, “Considering that FIFA knew about the unbearable summer heat in Qatar, they still organized that the migrant workers continue labor in brutal conditions.” 

When the decision was made for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, this nation lacked the infrastructure necessary to house the 3 million riled up fans and even a stadium. Being a small country of 4,468 squared miles, it was up to migrant workers to construct an eligible environment for the event. Many are still questioning how they came to be selected, as there were whispers of bribery. 

“I understand that FIFA was trying to establish a connection between the Western and Arab worlds, but the fact that they are financing potential corruption shows that they’re disregarding these allegations,” Senior Sarah Sagrott said. 

Aside from Qatar controversy, there have been instances with Iran in which fans and players have been standing up for their freedoms. Many viewers have been protesting by lifting banners across the stand for Iranian women’s rights in Qatar’s stadiums. Early in the World Cup, the Iranian team refrained from singing their national anthem before their soccer game as an act of resistance towards their government and to show respect for human rights. There has been speculation that after taking this initiative, the Iranian government threatened the players’ families if they continued to behave in this manner. 

“I admire the players for standing up for the protestors, but at the same time I’m afraid of what will happen to them when they go home,” said junior Caro Peñate.