“It’s simply going to be the best World Cup in history, the greatest show in the world,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said of the World Cup (Nov. 21-Dec. 18) in Qatar at the 72nd FIFA Congress in early March. And this show, he said, is for everyone: “Everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we talk about LGBTQI+.” LGBTQI+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer and Intersex. They are descriptions for sexual orientations and forms of identities.

Well, the 52-year-old, who has always succinctly brushed away criticism of the human rights situation in the host country, needs to rethink his statements. Because research by Norwegian broadcaster NRK together with Danish broadcaster DR and SVT from Sweden shows: The finals are not for everyone. World Cup hotels advertised as accommodations on the official FIFA website turned away homosexual guests.

The three TV networks undertook an experiment in which two journalists posed as a newly married gay couple from Sweden and inquired about a room at World Cup hotels. 59 of the 69 hotels recommended by FIFA responded: Three said outright that they would not accept the gay couple and immediately declined the request. 20 of the hotels that did accept the alleged couple communicated clear reservations, saying that guests should not show that they were gay.

Do not “dress homosexually”

According to the research, the “Torch Doha”, the “Magnum Hotel & Suites Westbay” and the “Wyndham Grand Regencey” cancelled because it was a homosexual couple. “Thank you for your question, but according to our hotel policy, we cannot accommodate you,” one response read. Another reason given was that they simply did not accept homosexual couples. The hotels with reservations shared, for example, that there had been incidents in the past where police had taken Qataris out of the hotel who were having homosexual relations, or that “if you put on makeup and dress homosexually,” you would be violating the country’s policy. “Decently dressed” and without sexual acts, however, the couple would be welcome.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and can be punished by up to seven years in prison. Under Islamic law, even flogging and the imposition of the death penalty are possible. However, according to human rights organizations, the latter has probably not yet been carried out in this context. In its 2021/22 annual report, Amnesty International again warned that ahead of the World Cup, “the authorities are placing even greater restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.” Women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people also “continued to face discrimination both through laws and in daily life,” it said. Members of the LGBTQI+ community are also to be systematically monitored, and their exchanges with each other, such as via social media, suppressed.

When journalists confronted FIFA about their research, it did not address the questions, but sent one of its typical PR responses. Qatar, they said, is aware of its responsibility to meet FIFA’s expectations and requirements in terms of respect for human rights and gender equality. “FIFA is confident that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that LGBTQI fans and others can enjoy the tournament in a welcoming and safe manner,” TV channels quoted the letter from the world governing body as saying.

The dangers are real

But the research by the three TV networks joins a slew of opposition to and restrictions on queer people in relation to the World Cup in Qatar. A Qatari security official warned in early April against displaying rainbow flags – the symbol of sexual and gender diversity – at the World Cup because he believes attacks on their respective fans are likely. Those who want to demonstrate their views on the LGBTQI+ situation should do so in a society “where it is accepted,” said Major General Abdulasis Abdullah Al Ansari.

Last December, Qatari authorities had already confiscated toys in rainbow colors. The reason given at the time was that they violated Islamic values. Less than a month earlier, the Qatari TV station beIN Sports, which also broadcasts the World Cup matches, was accused of inciting homophobia.

In addition, a document from the Qatari World Cup organizing committee obtained by Sportschau testifies that “stories” are being told in public by means of World Cup ambassadors and selected journalists, showing that Qatar is ready to welcome queer people as well. However, the research of the three TV channels in combination with the other actions also seem as if there is an attempt to scare LGBTQI+ people in the run-up to the World Cup and to put obstacles in their way so that they do not travel to the tournament. And afterwards the organizers could brag: Look, there were no problems with the topic at the World Cup.

The dangers for LGBTQI+ people in Qatar are real. Not only human rights organizations and affected people are aware of that. Only FIFA boss Gianni Infantino doesn’t want to know anything about it. The most important thing is that it is not only about changes in Qatar in terms of non-discrimination regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity for World Cup tourists who visit the country for a few days. It needs these rights for all people in Qatar and the region. And all the time.