Abstract

The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar attracted international attention not merely because of its scale but also due to the serious human rights issues relating to its preparation. This paper critically analyses the use of migrant workers who played a crucial role in building the event facilities. Predominantly from South Asia and Africa, these migrant workers suffered under inhumane conditions of work, such as long working hours, unpaid or delayed wages, poor living conditions, and suppression of freedom of movement within the Kafala system. Though Qatar attempted to reform the labour legislation in light of international pressure, enforcement remained ineffective to a considerable extent, and exploitation continued. The article examines accounts from international bodies like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Labour Organization, identifying structural failures in safeguarding workers' rights. In addition, the article addresses the role of FIFA and other actors in facilitating or ignoring these abuses. This research demands tighter international responsibility mechanisms and binding legal regulations to ensure that human rights are not compromised for international sporting spectacles. The Qatar World Cup is a harsh reminder that without enforceable safeguards, vulnerable labour cohorts will still shoulder the unseen costs of international grandeur.

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