Critical Overview:
Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 championship was sealed through a penalty shootout, ending the final match with a score of 3-2. Following the game, England manager Gareth Southgate shouldered the responsibility for the missed penalties. In his statement, he acknowledged that he had chosen the penalty-takers based on their performance during training. However, he expressed that the defeat was a collective loss for the entire team. Southgate now turns his focus to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to take place next year.
The World Cup, traditionally held two years after the European Championships, is being held only one year after Euro 2020, owing to the pandemic. The 2022 tournament is scheduled to take place in November and December, in Qatar. As Qatar is too hot to host the tournament during its usual time, the schedule had to be modified. The opening game will take place on 21 November, with the final a week before Christmas, on 18 December.
There has been much controversy surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup. Allegations of bribery between the Qatar bid committee and Fifa members and executives have been made. Numerous Fifa members have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to award the tournament to Qatar, including ex-president Sepp Blatter. Qatar has limited football history, and the stadiums for the tournament have been built from scratch, raising concerns over the climate and the decision to hold the tournament in winter. However, the most significant controversy has arisen over Qatar’s human rights record and the treatment of workers hired to build the infrastructure.
England’s qualifying group for the World Cup comprises Hungary, Poland, Albania, Andorra, and San Marino. The team has played three fixtures so far, winning all three, including a recent 2-1 victory over Poland in March. Consequently, they are at the top of their group, putting them in a prime position to qualify for the upcoming tournament.
When is the next World Cup?
The World Cup, the most significant event in football, is being held in Qatar in November and December 2022. The tournament has been rescheduled to this time due to the extreme heat of the Qatari summers. The decision to hold the tournament in Qatar has been controversial, with allegations of bribery and concerns over Qatar’s human rights record being raised. However, England’s focus is firmly on their qualifying group, where they have won all three fixtures, putting them in a favorable position to qualify for the tournament.
Qatar Controversy and Human Rights Abuses:
Qatar’s selection as the host of the 2022 World Cup has been surrounded by controversy. The country’s limited football history and the decision to build stadiums from scratch have raised questions about the feasibility of hosting such a large-scale event. However, the most significant controversy has been over Qatar’s human rights record, particularly regarding the treatment of workers hired to build the tournament infrastructure. Amnesty International has reported “serious exploitation” of workers, and labor unions have described workers as “basically slaves.” Such human rights violations have prompted calls for a boycott of the tournament.
England’s Qualifying Campaign:
England’s qualifying group for the World Cup includes Hungary, Poland, Albania, Andorra, and San Marino. With three fixtures played so far, England has won all three matches, putting them in a promising position to qualify for the tournament. Their most recent victory was a 2-1 win over Poland in March. While their focus is on their qualifying campaign, the broader concerns surrounding the tournament’s host country continue to be a topic of discussion among football fans and analysts.
Conclusion:
The World Cup, the most significant event in football, is scheduled to take place in Qatar in November and December 2022.
