Denmark Could Exit FIFA 2022 World Cup

Denmark could withdraw from FIFA 2022 World Cup, according to a new report. Danish soccer federation president Jesper Møller told media in Qatar, where the World Cup is being hosted, that it may be challenging for Denmark if it decides to walk off alone but nothing is for certain as of now.

The latest incident that added to the frustration of European soccer teams was the ban on “One Love” armbands that some players wanted to wear to show solidarity toward the anti-discrimination campaign. The teams and officials are at odds with FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the comments he made at the eve-of-tournament news conference, calling European society and media hypocrites.

Møller spoke to Danish media in Qatar and said, “I’ve thought about it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark opts out alone. But let’s see if we can’t have a dialogue.” Denmark and Germany have publicly claimed they will not vote for Infantino who is running for re-election as president of FIFA, unopposed.

Officials in the German camp were considering filing a legal challenge against FIFA tactics at the Court of Arbitration for Sport but no appeal has been filed yet. Møller, however, is in support of it. “We must respond to it. We will get to that together with the other countries. We are in this together,” he said.

Infantino has claimed he was supported by 200 out of the 211 members of the FIFA federation to run for re-election. The election meeting is scheduled for March 16 in Kigali, Rwanda. The deadline for candidates to stand against Infantino was November 16 but no one provided the five valid pledges of support that are required.

There has been quite a lot of unrest at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Teams want to use this global platform to raise awareness and support anti-discrimination campaigns, show their respect, and mourn the lives of the laborers that died in Qatar. Denmark has a black jersey which is the “color of mourning” for laborers who have lost their lives.

Vineet Washington