The world cup starts in just over a week, but the emirates state is currently hitting the media for exactly the wrong reason.
Qatar won the opportunity to host the world cup back in December 2010, over ten years ago. Back when the decision was made it was still a massive debate.
In this one-off blog we will be looking at why this world cup is probably the most controversial world cup ever.
Qatar is the first Middle - East country to ever host the world cup.
At the time, USA was their closest rivals in the competition to host the football tournament, who lost to the Qatar proposal by 14 votes to 8.
British newspaper 'The Sunday Times' published documents which they claimed proved that a Qatari businessman named Mohamed bin Hammam had paid off football officials around the world equivalents of millions of British pounds to ensure Qatar would host the world cup.
As a result Fifa launched its own investigation into the claims. Fifa admitted their was 'potentially problematic conduct of specific individuals' although ultimately cleared the Qatar authorities of all claims by the Times.
Recently, former FIFA president claimed the decision to give Qatar the world cup was a 'mistake'.
Problems with the world cup
Qatar has a poor human right record, and they are not a 'footballing nation' so all the stadiums used in the world cup had to be built specifically (and many won't be used afterwards' Roughly 30,000 migrant workers had to be bought in - mainly from Asian countries such as India and Nepal. Newspaper the guardian claims 6,000 workers have died in the building of the stadiums (although the world cup authorities deny this claim, saying the true number is 37) .
In Qatar being in a same sex relationship is illegal, and even punishable by the death penalty, and despite organizers saying 'everyone will be welcome' they also stated that you have to 'respect our culture' (Qatar is an extremely strict Muslim state)
England captain Harry Kane will wear a 'one love' armband throughout the world cup , as part of a silent protest. Hummel, who created the Danish national team kit, have toned down their kit design for the tournament too.
Although, Euro 2022 player of the tournament and golden boot winner Beth Mead called the tournament 'disappointing' considering the states view on LGBTQ plus.
Mead, who herself is in a relation with a woman says she has never felt it necessary to 'release a statement' about being gay, as its just who she is.
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