ORF-E
English
1 x 30 min
Worldwide

The World Cup, which begins on November 21 in Qatar, is the first World Cup to be held in winter. Postponed because in summer it is too hot to play in the desert state with its temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. But even in November, the newly built stadiums in Qatar have to be specially cooled. Qatar is the country with the highest CO2 emissions in the world. Thousands of Asian migrant workers have died in the construction of the stadiums, a new airport, roads and hotels for the mega sporting event. Qatar points out that reforms in recent years have significantly improved the workers’ situation. Human rights activists also acknowledge progress, but caution that the reforms are insufficiently implemented. A local inspection in a country caught between tradition and modernity, between authoritarianism and the desire to play an important role on the world stage.