Canadians travelling to Qatar to support their country’s men’s soccer team for the FIFA World Cup are being advised by Ottawa to “dress modestly” and “behave discreetly.”
These are just two of the warnings the federal government has issued ahead of the competition, which starts on Sunday. Qatar is the first Arab country to host the prestigious event, but controversy has surrounded it ever since FIFA selected it as the host 12 years ago. Since years, there have been complaints about the mistreatment of migrant workers constructing the World Cup’s infrastructure. More recently, Qatar’s record on LGBTQ2 rights has come under scrutiny.
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Ottawa has provided some advice for Canadians travelling to Qatar, including details on local legislation, on a dedicated travel advice portal for World Cup supporters. The federal government has specified the entry standards needed for the competition as well as the most effective modes of transportation.
It has also forewarned Canadians that the conservative Muslim nation’s legal system differs significantly from that of Canada in many ways. In Qatar, where it might not be permitted, there may be harsh repercussions for doing something that is legal in Canada, according to Ottawa.
“Revealing clothing is considered inappropriate. To avoid offending local sensitivities, dress conservatively, behave discreetly and respect religious and social traditions,” the government said.
“Public display of affection including holding hands and kissing is not socially accepted. Qatari law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex or unmarried people. However, no restrictions exist on staying in the same room for friends of different genders or couples (including 2SLGBTQI+).”
It is also forbidden to photograph Qatari nationals without their permission, Ottawa continued. To use photography and videography equipment or conduct interviews in Qatar, journalists—including independent social media creators—need specific visas and permissions.
“There is no legal guarantee of freedom of the press or freedom of expression,” the government said.
“Avoid use of obscene language or gestures, arguing with or insulting others in public, and avoid religious proselytizing, criticism of the government of Qatar or the religion of Islam in person or on social media as such activities could lead to being arrested and criminal prosecution.”
Additionally, Qatar has tight regulations regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol. Official information about policies on the sale and consumption of alcohol during the World Cup has not yet been provided, Ottawa said, despite the fact that officials have reduced alcohol regulations in designated “fan zones.”
Alcohol importation is prohibited in Qatar, including purchases made at the airport duty-free shop, according to the government, and drinking or being intoxicated in public is a crime. The drinking age limit is 21. Additionally, drug use, trafficking, smuggling, and possession are all prohibited in Qatar.
The Canadian Embassy in Qatar or Ottawa’s round-the-clock emergency watch and response centre can be contacted by Canadians in Qatar who require urgent consular help, the ministry said.
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Ever since Qatar was selected by FIFA to host the World Cup in 2010, the event has generated criticism. Despite the fact that 21 of the 24 members of the FIFA executive committee who voted in favour of the 2010 World Cup hosts were either convicted in criminal or ethical cases, indicted, found not guilty after a trial, or implicated in wrongdoing, the country has been questioned about how it convinced FIFA to support the country.
In the run-up to the competition, human rights organisations have drawn attention to the reported exploitation of migrant workers constructing World Cup infrastructure in Qatar, many of whom they believe have perished on the job. The governing emir of Qatar has referred to the criticism as a “unprecedented campaign” against the first Arab country to host the competition. In response, Qatar has pushed back frequently, stating that migrant labour protections have improved and that the criticism is out of date.
In addition, Qatar’s position on LGTBQ2 rights has come under question, and some soccer players have expressed concern over the rights of fans who are travelling to attend the tournament. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on October 24 that Qatari security forces unjustly detained and mistreated LGBTQ2 Qataris in September despite the country’s pledge that LGTBQ2 supporters won’t be detained. In a statement, a Qatari official referred to HRW’s claims as “categorically and unequivocally false.”
The safety of Canadians attending the World Cup must be guaranteed, according to a tweet from Canadian Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge on October 28. In a statement to Global News earlier this month, St-Onge said that Ottawa was supporting calls for “transparency and robust safeguards” to safeguard migrant workers who constructed World Cup infrastructure.
Late last month, Canada Soccer, the sport’s governing body in the nation, released a statement saying it “supports the ongoing pursuit of further progress regarding workers’ rights and inclusivity as Qatar prepares to host the world.”
A federal dignitary’s trip to the World Cup has not yet been planned, according to Ottawa, which boycotted the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to China’s subpar human rights record.
On November 23, Canada’s men’s national team will face Belgium in their opening match of their second World Cup and first in 36 years.
World Cup 2022 team preview: Canada
The North American underdogs will hope to score some points during their first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
Previous World Cup appearances: 1986
Titles: 0
Best finish: Group stage (1986)
World Cup record: W0 D0 L3
Goals: 0
Biggest win: No wins
Player to watch: Alphonso Davies
Ranking: 41
Fixtures: Belgium (November 23), Croatia (November 27), Morocco (December 1)
After 36 years of obscurity, Canada will return to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Despite being in a challenging group with Croatia and Belgium, the team is expected to struggle to advance, but a great qualification campaign has given fans hope that they may yet spring a few surprises and make it to the knockout stage for the first time.
Canada has only ever participated in one World Cup, which was held in Mexico in 1986. Three losses in the group stages to France, Hungary, and the former Soviet Union marred their historic performance.
Participation in the 1986 competition was the pinnacle of Canadian football, which would not be topped for many years, up until this moment.
But it also turned out to be a sobering experience for the players, as they failed to score a goal and gave up five in 270 minutes of play.
They were one of just two teams at the competition who failed to register a single point, the other being Iraq, who had a better goal differential than the Canadians.
On November 23, Canada will face Belgium in the opening match of their World Cup journey in an effort to regain their qualifying form.
The team won eight of its 14 games during the CONCACAF qualifying round, including unexpected victories over the higher-ranked United States and Mexico. The team also finished first in the group.
All eyes on Davies
In Qatar, Canadians will look to the incredibly gifted 22-year-old Alphonso Davies for motivation.
For his club team, German powerhouse Bayern Munich, Davies is typically used as a left wing-back. He is noted for his lightning-quick speed, dribbling, and shooting.
He frequently plays further forward for Canada, which enables him to occupy spaces behind dynamic frontman Jonathan David and gives him more control over attacks.
Davies, who is already widely regarded as the best player in the CONCACAF region, will now have the chance to showcase his abilities on a global scale.
He has won numerous trophies throughout his career so far, including four Bundesliga championships, numerous domestic cups, a UEFA Champions League winner’s medal, and a FIFA Club World Cup victory.
Tough road ahead
Despite the buzz surrounding Davies and David, both 22 years old, it is unlikely that the Canadians will advance from Group F given the calibre of Croatia and Belgium.
However, manager John Herman has pushed his players to savour the experience of competing in the competition and to push themselves to their physical and mental limits while facing opponents like Croatian star Luka Modric and Belgium’s array of elite athletes.
He has stated that the team has a chance to “create memories that will last forever” for the 38 million people in the country and to “create a generational shift” in Canada, where football has frequently been overshadowed by ice hockey and other more popular sports.
A competitive showing in the group stage would still signal significant progress for Canadian football as the nation gets ready to host the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Mexico, even though a run to the knockout stage is unlikely.
The tournament this year will give Davies and David a platform from which they might take their already successful careers to even higher levels.
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