(foto: Posnetek zaslona)
Qatar reportedly funded travel and accommodation for around 1,000 supporters at the World Cup, but debate has emerged after reports of mandatory participation in organized fan events.
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Qatar's opening World Cup match against Switzerland has been accompanied by fresh controversy off the pitch.
According to reports from Qatari and American media, the Qatar Football Association, together with the state-backed fund DAAM, organized the travel of approximately 1,000 supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The initiative reportedly covered flights, hotel accommodation, and local transportation for selected fans.
Supporters arrived in North America on charter flights operated by Qatar Airways, with accommodation arranged across several host cities, including San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, where Qatar's group-stage matches are taking place.
While subsidized fan travel is not uncommon in international sport, attention has focused on claims regarding organized supporter activities.
The debate intensified after social media posts circulated showing what appeared to be instructions for fans participating in official events.
One of the most discussed examples involved Qatari influencer Abdulla Al Ghafri, known online as QQQ, who reportedly shared information relating to a fan march in San Francisco.
According to reports cited by American outlet SFGate, the document suggested that attendance at a pre-match fan march was mandatory for supporters staying in certain downtown San Francisco hotels, while participation remained optional for fans based in Santa Clara.
The reports quickly sparked debate online.
Critics questioned whether organized fan activities should include attendance requirements, while others argued that group travel programs often involve coordinated schedules and planned promotional events.
No official confirmation has emerged regarding how strictly any such requirements were enforced.
The discussion has also revived broader scrutiny surrounding Qatar's use of sport as part of its international image-building strategy.
Since hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has remained a frequent subject of debate regarding human rights issues, migrant worker conditions, and wider social policies.
Critics have often described major sporting investments by Gulf states as examples of " sportswashing," a term used to describe efforts to improve international perceptions through high-profile sporting events and sponsorships.
Supporters of Qatar reject that characterization and point to the country's growing involvement in global football, including investments in infrastructure, club ownership, and tournament organization.
As Qatar continues its World Cup campaign, attention will remain focused not only on its performances on the field but also on the wider discussions that continue to surround the country's role in international sport.