Gianni Infantino, the chairman of FIFA, launched into a ferocious tirade on Saturday
"Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker,"
He drawing parallels between his own situation as a redhead immigrant ki
d and that of oppressed groups.
His apparent sympathy for Qatar was motivated by the avalanche of abuse
the country has received in the Western media for hosting the competition.
However, he asserted that it is hypocritical of the West to lecture non-
Westerners about morality.
On the eve of the World Cup, those remarks gained widespread attention a
nd sparked a lot of ire and mockery.
But they had a significant resonance for a lot of Muslims and Arabs.
The World Cup this year is undoubtedly unique from all others. It is the
first one to take place in a Muslim nation.
A female singer wearing a traditional burqa sang at the start of the Bed
ouin-themed opening ceremony on Sunday.