FIFA's choice of Qatar to host the World Cup has long been marred by criticism over human rights abuses, the safety of migrant workers and the logistics of holding a soccer tournament in desert heat.
In a statement to NPR, the Qatari embassy said that the"safety of all visitors is of the utmost importance" to the host country and that Qatar is a"relatively conservative society."
"Everybody will be welcome in Qatar for the World Cup," the statement said."We simply ask all visitors to appreciate and respect our culture, just as they would if they were traveling elsewhere in the region and in other parts of the world."The selection of Qatar as World Cup host has long been dogged by allegations of bribery and corruption.
The selection was announced in 2010 after a series of votes by FIFA officials. Qatar won out over bids by the U.S., South Korea, Japan and Australia. Over the years, various officials, both from FIFA and other organizations, have been accused of accepting or soliciting bribes to guide the World Cup to Qatar.
"There has been just so many allegations of corruption against the Qatari bid – of political machinations going on, in terms of government deals, gas deals between countries that would have a vote on who would host the World Cup finals," said James Montague, a journalist who has written about Qatar and the World Cup,
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