World Cup in Qatar, FIFA writes to national teams: "Think about football and leave ideas out"

Fifa, through the president Gianni Infantino and the secretary general Fatma Samoura, wrote to the 32 federations participating in the 2022 World Cup to ask to focus on football and to reiterate that the welcome in Qatar will be guaranteed to all regardless of religion, gender, orientation. sexuality and nationality. 

It happens because numerous Federations have expressed public dissent for the violation of human rights and for the deaths at work of the migrants who built the stadiums. 

The last to express dissent, in chronological order, were

choral video that went viral on the web.

But for weeks now the captains of England, Germany, Holland and France have communicated that they will wear an armband with the design of

which recalls the rainbow flag, symbol of the LGBTQIA + fight.

Infantino has repeatedly defended the choice to award Qatar the World Cup, responding to criticism of the lack of respect for human rights in the Asian country: "Qatar has implemented real changes to improve the conditions of migrant workers and the World Cup is a "opportunity for Qatar and the entire Persian Gulf to show themselves in a different way and to free themselves from the prejudices that unfortunately still exist today. These changes have taken place in recent years, while in other countries - including in Europe - it has taken decades".

In our special

we tell what lies behind the construction of the sporting event that begins on November 20th. 

Here, on the other hand, is

with protests growing all over the world. 

The text of the FIFA letter

Dear Presidents, Dear General Secretaries,

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is now around the corner and excitement for the world's most important football event is growing globally as we count the days until kick-off in Doha on Sunday 20 November. 2022.

As one of 32 participating teams, you carry the hopes and dreams of your home country and all your people on your shoulders.

FIFA would like to assure you that everything in Qatar has been prepared to ensure that each participating nation has the best chance of reaching the finals.

The eight state-of-the-art stadiums, where 64 matches of the Qatar 2022 ™ FIFA World Cup will be played ️, will provide the perfect platform for the world's largest sporting event.

So please let's focus on football now!

We know that football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature around the world.

But please don't let football get dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.

At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without imparting moral lessons to the rest of the world.

One of the great strengths of the world is its diversity, and if inclusion means something, it means having respect for that diversity.

No people, culture or nation is "better" than another.

This principle is the cornerstone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.

And this is also one of the fundamental values ​​of football.

So please, let's all remember and let football take center stage.

Now, at the FIFA World Cup, we have the unique opportunity and opportunity to welcome and embrace everyone, regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.

We take this opportunity and unite the world through the universal language of football.

Now our focus is on football because #NowIsAll.

We wish you every success and a great tournament coming up!

Gianni Infantino FIFA President Fatma Samoura FIFA Secretary General