The Khalifa International Stadium "will fit 40,000 spectators and be completely cooled, including the field of play, all seats and concourses," soccer's world governing body FIFA said in September 2015. But what's the human cost of this World Cup venue's construction?
Qatar's grand plan —
The Khalifa International Stadium "will fit 40,000 spectators and be completely cooled, including the field of play, all seats and concourses," soccer's world governing body FIFA said in September 2015. But what's the human cost of this World Cup venue's construction?
Handout/Getty Images Europe
In a new report published on Thursday, human rights organization Amnesty International said it had found evidence of "systematic abuses," including forced labor of migrant workers at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
Amnesty accusation —
In a new report published on Thursday, human rights organization Amnesty International said it had found evidence of "systematic abuses," including forced labor of migrant workers at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
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In December 2010, then FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed Qatar as host of the 2022 World Cup at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. But both Qatar and FIFA soon faced allegations about poor working conditions and abuse of immigrant workers brought in to build the facilities for the tournament.
Qatar's World Cup win —
In December 2010, then FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed Qatar as host of the 2022 World Cup at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. But both Qatar and FIFA soon faced allegations about poor working conditions and abuse of immigrant workers brought in to build the facilities for the tournament.
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Men at a shoemaker's stall sit by a replica of the World Cup trophy soon after the hosting award brought announcements of a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including the construction of new stadiums and roads.
Glittering prize —
Men at a shoemaker's stall sit by a replica of the World Cup trophy soon after the hosting award brought announcements of a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including the construction of new stadiums and roads.
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"For players and fans, a World Cup stadium is a place of dreams," Amnesty International general secretary Salil Shetty said. "For some of the workers who spoke to us, it can feel like a living nightmare."
'A stain on the conscience of football' —
"For players and fans, a World Cup stadium is a place of dreams," Amnesty International general secretary Salil Shetty said. "For some of the workers who spoke to us, it can feel like a living nightmare."
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
FIFA and its sponsors should push for change, or risk being "tainted by association," Amnesty warned. But in a statement, Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said it was "committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of every worker on World Cup projects."
Evidence of 'abuses' —
FIFA and its sponsors should push for change, or risk being "tainted by association," Amnesty warned. But in a statement, Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said it was "committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of every worker on World Cup projects."
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
An artist's impression shows what the finished Khalifa stadium will look like. Qatar is spending a reported $200 billion -- more than any previous World Cup host -- on nine new air-conditioned stadiums, the major refurbishment of three venues and infrastructure.
Big-money developments —
An artist's impression shows what the finished Khalifa stadium will look like. Qatar is spending a reported $200 billion -- more than any previous World Cup host -- on nine new air-conditioned stadiums, the major refurbishment of three venues and infrastructure.
Handout/Getty Images Europe
A worker bedroom in the Al Wakrah camp, pictured in May 2015. Amnesty's fifth investigative, in-depth Qatar World Cup report is its first since Gianni Infantino was elected as FIFA president in February 2016.
Examining conditions —
A worker bedroom in the Al Wakrah camp, pictured in May 2015. Amnesty's fifth investigative, in-depth Qatar World Cup report is its first since Gianni Infantino was elected as FIFA president in February 2016.
Amnesty International
Conditions at the Al Wakrah camp were described as "cramped, dirty and unhygienic." The new Amnesty report describes how many workers are living in "squalid accommodation," but Qatari officials say they are steadily improving the situation from where it stood in 2015 and denied the 2022 World Cup would be "built on the back of exploited workers."
'Squalid, cramped accommodation' —
Conditions at the Al Wakrah camp were described as "cramped, dirty and unhygienic." The new Amnesty report describes how many workers are living in "squalid accommodation," but Qatari officials say they are steadily improving the situation from where it stood in 2015 and denied the 2022 World Cup would be "built on the back of exploited workers."
Amnesty International
Here, a reporter takes a picture of a squalid kitchen at a camp housing foreign workers in Doha in May 2015. The Qatari government has announced new projects to provide better accommodation.
'Five years of promises' —
Here, a reporter takes a picture of a squalid kitchen at a camp housing foreign workers in Doha in May 2015. The Qatari government has announced new projects to provide better accommodation.
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Foreign laborers working on the construction site of the al-Wakrah football stadium, one of Qatar's World Cup venues, walk back to their accommodation compound after a working day in May 2015.
Returning to base —
Foreign laborers working on the construction site of the al-Wakrah football stadium, one of Qatar's World Cup venues, walk back to their accommodation compound after a working day in May 2015.
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Amnesty said Gulf desert emirate Qatar had yet to deliver any real labor reforms since becoming the first Middle East nation to win the right to host the World Cup.
'No reforms' —
Amnesty said Gulf desert emirate Qatar had yet to deliver any real labor reforms since becoming the first Middle East nation to win the right to host the World Cup.
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Image
Shetty said Qatar's World Cup delivery committee is struggling to enforce the standards it has set companies working on its venues.
'Struggling to enforce standards' —
Shetty said Qatar's World Cup delivery committee is struggling to enforce the standards it has set companies working on its venues.
KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images
Amnesty has urged FIFA to start a "human rights due diligence process" by carrying out its own inspections of labor conditions in Qatar and makings its finding public.
Call for FIFA diligence —
Amnesty has urged FIFA to start a "human rights due diligence process" by carrying out its own inspections of labor conditions in Qatar and makings its finding public.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images/File
Demonstrators hold placards calling for change to Qatar's policies on the working conditions of migrant workers ahead of the international friendly between Scotland and Qatar in Edinburgh in June 5, 2015.
Sending a message —
Demonstrators hold placards calling for change to Qatar's policies on the working conditions of migrant workers ahead of the international friendly between Scotland and Qatar in Edinburgh in June 5, 2015.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
An artist's impression for Qatar's flagship Doha Port stadium prior to the World Cup bid in 2010.
Pressure from sponsors —
An artist's impression for Qatar's flagship Doha Port stadium prior to the World Cup bid in 2010.
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