Why the 2022 World Cup in Qatar Will be Weird
Are you excited about the matches of the 22 World Cup? If so, aren’t you curious about how Qatar will manage to host these games? There’s a lot more to it than just having state-of-the-art stadiums. Here you’ll find out why customs and more in Qatar are weird and what they will mean for the Cup.
Homophobia
The World Cup is supposed to be an event that unites the world. So what happens when it lands in a country where your sexuality could land you in jail? It’s complicated, but the truth is that some of the players, coaches, and fans attending this year’s World Cup will be risking their safety just by being themselves while they’re there.
The last event in Russia won’t seem so bad in comparison. This time, it’ll be Qatar—a country where you can get sent to prison for being gay—hosting the 2022 World Cup. The type of discrimination LGBTQ people face in Qatar ranges from social stigma and ostracization to harassment and abuse, with a lack of legal protections for queer people.
A lot of people are also concerned about potential homophobia at the event. Qatar is a very conservative country where homosexuality isn’t accepted and being gay is illegal.
For LGBTQ fans attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there is one thing we can all do: surround ourselves with other LGBTQ people who are passionate about soccer and help support each other through these challenging times. And when you’re at the matches, remember that being gay doesn’t mean you can’t be a great soccer fan!
No Public Display of Affection
It’s not just the fact that there’s no gay marriage; it’s the fact that when you’re there, you can’t even show affection in a public place. For example, if you were to kiss or hug someone of the same gender, you could face years in prison.
Qatar’s ban on public displays of affection makes the World Cup in 2022 a potentially trickier affair than it would otherwise be—and that’s saying something.
We can only imagine the trouble that will come from having thousands of people worldwide trying to kiss their partners on camera without getting arrested or fined.
You know it’ll happen. People will celebrate with their significant others, and they’ll forget that they’re not in a place like France or Italy where kissing is perfectly acceptable.
The problem isn’t just limited to kissing, though: it also extends to holding hands and hugging, which are both common ways for fans to show support for one another at an event like the World Cup. And while those things certainly aren’t as intimate as kissing, they’re still definitely going to run afoul of the law.
Strict Betting Laws
Due to the strict gambling laws in Qatar, the country that will host the 2022 World Cup is not allowed to perform any form of gambling. This makes it difficult for fans who want to participate in sports betting or other gambling activities during the games.
However, in Qatar, betting is illegal and highly frowned upon by society. The penalties for those caught participating in gambling activities can include imprisonment or even deportation from the country.
Many people think this will impact the number of fans attending games due to a lack of interest because they cannot place bets on their favorite teams during playtime!
You also have an option online: The government has cracked down on gambling apps, so if you want to place a bet on your phone or tablet, you’ll need to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN is essentially a piece of software that reroutes your internet traffic through another server to look like you’re in another country. If you use a VPN while visiting Qatar, you’ll be able to place online bets as if nothing were different.
With VPN, You can visit different sites, including eSports betting crypto websites, for more private, anonymous, and secure sports gambling during the extravaganza.
The law also doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on the games from Qatar. It does mean that you have to be sneaky about it. You can go to a neighboring country like Saudi Arabia and bet at one of their bookmakers if you want to play to earn on the World Cup games.
Strict Anti-Alcohol Laws
When we think of a World Cup, people get drunk, dance in the streets, and are generally rowdy. But Qatar is an absolute monarchy, and they take their religious beliefs seriously. So when they were planning the 2022 World Cup, they made it illegal to drink alcohol anywhere near stadiums.
The law is pretty strict: You can’t even bring it into the country itself. They don’t want you to get drunk! Well, that’s not true—they don’t want any of you to get drunk and fall off your camel or kiss that camel or pass out in the street. We’ve all seen what happens when people get drunk at sporting events: it’s just plain embarrassing.
And as for kissing camels? That’s a big no-no, too. The government says that if you kiss a camel on the lips—or even sit next to one—they will immediately expel you from the country. They’re afraid that someone might try to sneak into the country with a camel in tow with all the crazy fans from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan!
No Bikinis
Qatar’s laws about public indecency and the dress code for women will make the 2022 World Cup weird.
While it’s true that these laws are unlikely to be enforced against visiting fans, they do leave you with a few questions: what should you wear? What can’t you wear? What if you forget?
The dress code prohibits shorts and short skirts, and sleeveless tops. Tops must cover the shoulders, and bottoms must cover the knees. Some airlines even require passengers to comply with this dress code on flights to Qatar. You also shouldn’t wear swimwear outside of your hotel or beach.
If all of that is confusing for you, don’t worry: Qatar is a popular travel destination. Several companies have done their homework on how to stay out of trouble while enjoying the country. Check out sites on guides to local customs for more information on how best to dress when visiting.
No Pork
Qatar is a Muslim country, which means that they follow Islamic dietary laws—one of which forbids pork consumption. That’s right: no more bacon sandwiches as a post-match snack!
But it’s not just fans who will have to go without their favorite porky treats. The Qatar World Cup committee has said that there will be no pork served at matches or official World Cup events, and players will also be expected to respect this law while they’re in the country.
Weird Timing
It’s not the first time a World Cup has been held outside of its traditional June-July slot. In 2002, the tournament was moved to May to avoid the rainy season in South Korea and Japan, but the 2022 finals will be more than a month later than usual. And it’s not just about fitting around club fixtures either.
The reason for this is apparent: it’s just too hot. During the summer months, temperatures in Qatar can top 50 degrees centigrade, which would make football pretty uncomfortable for players and fans alike. So the tournament has been moved to the end of the year instead, which will bring an entirely different set of challenges.
One significant weird thing about the timing is that people and nations will have to forgo a lot of events for the world cup. For example, the European leagues will have to be disrupted because the top players will be representing their respective nations in Qatar.
Take Away
As for the 2022 World Cup, it will indeed be strange. But we must remember that not all strangeness is sinister—sometimes even good. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out.
But it is safe to say that the world cup in Qatar will bring plenty of surprises. Let’s hope that the supporters’ travel experiences don’t leave us disappointed and disillusioned.