FIFA World Cup 2022 opens with host country Qatar facing Ecuador
With so much focus away from the field for both teams, Sunday’s opener will bring the conversation back to soccer.
A woman takes a selfie with her mobile phone beside a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy in front of the Stadium 974 in Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament.
Given the level of focus on the Qatari regime, its attitudes toward human rights, immigrant workers, the LGBTQ community — and beer — the World Cup host’s soccer team has slipped under the radar.
Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday, but even the buildup to that match has been overshadowed by Friday’s announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds.
