Why is France boycotting the Qatar World Cup?

 

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the tiny, energy-rich nation of supporting terrorism. Qatar has long denied the accusations, and the dispute has led to one of the worst regional crises in decades.

As part of the boycott, the four countries have closed their airspace to Qatar, and Saudi Arabia has blocked Qatar's only land border, severely disrupting the import of food and other supplies. The dispute escalated in November 2017 when the four countries issued a list of 13 demands to Qatar, including shutting down the state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera and curbing its ties with Iran. Qatar rejected the demands, saying they were an attempt to infringe on its sovereignty. The four countries have now called for a boycott of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, saying they will not take part in the tournament unless it is moved to another country. France is one of several European countries that have been critical of Qatar's treatment of migrant workers in the country. In March 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss the issue. During the meeting, Macron reportedly raised concerns about the working conditions of migrant workers in Qatar and the treatment of women in the country. France has also been critical of Qatar's support for Islamist groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2014, then-French President Francois Hollande said Qatar was a "problem" in the fight against terrorism. The boycott of the Qatar World Cup by France is a direct result of the country's concerns about Qatar's human rights record and its support for terrorism. With the 2022 World Cup fast approaching, the boycott could have a significant impact on the tournament. France is one of the world's top soccer nations, and its absence would be a major blow to the event. Qatar has spent billions of dollars on infrastructure projects in preparation for the World Cup, and the country's reputation is on the line. If the tournament is a success, it could help Qatar improve its image and prove to the world that it is a safe and welcoming place. However, if the boycott continues and the World Cup is a flop, it could be a major setback for Qatar. The country has a lot riding on the tournament, and the eyes of the world will be on it in 2022.