The globe’s best footballers and thousands of football fans have descended on Qatar for one of sport’s most iconic and engaging events.
Salford’s pubs and bars were alive with pride and anticipation as the agonising four-year wait from 2018’s semi-final in Russia finally ended.
England raised the curtain on their 2022 World Cup campaign today with a 6-2 win over Iran and the early kick-off time did not deter the fans from filling local pubs hours before the match.
However, the excitement for the competition has been slightly mired by the location of the tournament. Eyebrows were raised when Qatar were selected as hosts due to their lack of footballing heritage and reservations over their human rights policies.
Qatar have never qualified for the World Cup through the Asian qualification pathway, and will compete at their first World Cup due to hosts gaining immediate qualification.
Furthermore, the stadiums for the competition were built on short schedules over the last decade, with questions raised over the treatment and payment of the workers who built the extravagant structures from nothing.
Atmosphere, the University of Salford Student Union bar was brimming with white and red long before 13:00, and filled with noise and attitude uncommon for a Monday afternoon.
Despite their support for the England team, concerns were raised about Qatar’s shady ethical legislation.
Spectator, Harry Toner, said: “I think it is a joke because it has broke the tradition of the World Cup. They’ve just paid to have it even though it is not going to be as enjoyable for fans.
“The buzz is not going to be as good because there is not atmosphere or tradition for football in Qatar.”
Fellow student and pub attendant Abby Milburn shared these sentiments, noting that the moving of the World Cup to the winter, for the first time ever, has affected the usual build-up. She said: “There is no beer gardens and we are all absolutely freezing.
“It might affect people going out to pubs because if it is awful weather you don’t want to leave the house and walk somewhere.”
Regardless of these concerns, the football is sure to entertain and thrill until the final game. England’s bumper win over Iran today is promise of good things to come and as is customary when major tournaments come around, England fans will dare to dream that this is finally their year.
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