Screaming fans approach the red gate at the stadium. The aroma and spices from the street vendors invades the fans’ nose, and excitement for the World Cup continues to build up…but the road here was not as exciting – in fact, it was filled with death.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be played from 20 November to 18 December in Qatar. It will be the twenty-second edition of the competition, and the first played in the Arab world.

The tournament will include 32 countries competing across eight venues in five distinct cities. This World Cup is particularly special, as it is the last for many big stars, including Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Nueur, and Suarez to name a few, all of whom have inspired millions over the past decade or two. 

However, while one generation of players comes to an end another begins. This year, there are many youngsters to keep an eye on, including Spain’s Pedri (age 19), England’s Jude Bellingham (age 19), Germany’s Jamal Musiala (age 19), and recent Golden Boy winner Gavi from Spain (age 18). With the World Cup only happening every four years, there is a lot of excitement across the globe amongst soccer fans right now, though the road to the big tournament was not much to consider.

Many controversies have emerged regarding human rights in Qatar, however. “The Guardian” has revealed that up to 6500 migrant workers have died building these stadiums.

Thousands of migrant workers from different countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago. Most deaths have been the result of Qatar’s scorching heat and the employers lack of care for the migrant workers.

“I think it’s absurd. You’re talking about human beings. Migrant workers who are dying in blustering heat, just to get stadiums built. They’re hiding what’s really happening by publishing stuff like ‘Messi and Ronaldo’s last World Cup’ trying to get the people to lose sight of what’s really happening. By all means, I think Qatar should get punished for the way they’re treating their people and workers. We’re looking at modern day slavery,” said West Chicago Community High School soccer coach Dorian Carrasco.

According to the BBC, “Qatar’s government says that 30,000 foreign laborers have been hired just to build the stadiums. Most come from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and the Philippines,” and “some workers said they hadn’t been paid for seven weeks.”

“I think it’s terrible what they’re doing. It’s slavery by every definition, and I think they should be banned from ever being able to host anything,” said senior David Ramirez.

While I am very excited about this World Cup, and think we should all enjoy the fun and look on the bright side, it is important for us to at least remember those who lost their lives making this tournament happen. Some suggest Qatar should pay the workers or worker’s families for these who passed, for the neglect they gave the workers, however, it is actually FIFA who should pay for the workers’ neglect. Qatar is not the first host country to come under fire for worker neglect, and FIFA should be the one to investigate and pay the fines – if there are any – for the workers’ neglect.

Unfortunately, for some, the conditions in Qatar are minimized by the excitement for the World Cup.

“I’m really excited for the World Cup because this year is something new: starting the World Cup in November/December, and seeing the best of the best face each other. This year I will be rooting for Mexico or Ansu Fati and Spain,” said Senior Diego Martinez.