Qatar is counting on the 2022 World Cup to launder its reputation internationally after terrorism charges as well as bribery and corruption scandals during its bid to host the World Cup, which tarnished the world of football, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
When it comes to football, Qatar was involved in a corruption scandal during its bid to host the World Cup. It also had to improve the conditions of low-wage migrant workers who build stadiums, hotels and roads to host the tournament, following criticism from football and human rights organizations.
The Agency pointed out that Qatar suffers from the lack of prestige and influence on a global scale, according to Simon Chadwick, a professor of the sports institution at Salford College in England. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however, is pushing for expanding the competition in 2022, saying last week that this could help ease the tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
"Football may open the door for communication between neighbors," said Infantino at his only World Cup press conference on July 13.