Hansi Flick, the head coach of Germany, has firmly opposed Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup just two months before the tournament's opening match.
After replacing Joachim Low after Germany's elimination by England in the Euro 2020 last-16, former Bayern Munich manager Flick will lead Germany into a major tournament for the first time.
In Group E, Germany will compete against Costa Rica, Spain, and Japan. Their opening match is scheduled for November 23, three days after Qatar's opening match against Ecuador.
In an interview with a German publication on Tuesday, Flick stated that the question of whether or not Qatar's proposal was warranted "should have been answered far earlier - with a no!"
He told the Suddeutsche Zeitung: “It is obvious that a lot is wrong in Qatar when it comes to human rights and sustainability.”
The Arab country has faced external criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, as well as its record on women’s rights and treatment of LGBTQ people.
Human rights campaigner Amnesty has called for migrant workers to be compensated for “suffering endured” in Qatar during preparations for the World Cup, calling for FIFA to support a ‘remediation programme’ and warning of the prospect of the tournament being “indelibly tainted by human rights abuses”.
Flick has also expressed concern about a Qatar World Cup in the past.
Speaking in August, Flick said the World Cup would not be a tournament “for fans”, and would instead go against his belief that “football should be there for everyone”.
Given Qatar’s limited accommodation facilities, the high costs involved in making the trip, and the move to the middle of the European club season, the competition has presented issues for fans, clubs and players, even beyond the moral debates.
Flick told the Frankfurter Rundschau: “[I have friends] who would like to fly to Qatar, but choose not to for a variety of reasons. Football should be there for everyone. That is why I say it is not a World Cup for fans.”