Amid skepticism after days of fan parades in Doha and throngs of people greeting team buses arriving at hotels, World Cup organizers insisted Wednesday the atmosphere is authentic.
“Numerous journalists and commentators on social media have questioned whether these are ‘real’ fans,” Qatari tournament organizers said in a statement. “We thoroughly reject these assertions, which are both disappointing and unsurprising.”
Fans travelling from overseas typically do not arrive at a World Cup until closer to their teams’ first game and the tournament starts on Sunday. Suggestions that Qatar was hiring people to be fans followed reports this month that tournament organizers were paying all expenses for about 1,600 fans drawn from the 31 visiting teams to travel and sing in the opening ceremony on Sunday before the home team plays Ecuador.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada taking talented roster to 2022 FIFA World Cup in QatarCanada submitted its list of 26 players who will be representing the country at the World Cup. They will be taking a talented team to Qatar.
Read more »
Everything you need to know about Canada's World Cup kickoff in QatarCanada ends a 36-year drought when the team appears at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this month. CTVNews.ca takes a look at what you need to know about the team as they compete for the game’s most coveted trophy.
Read more »
FIFA World Cup Group A Preview: Hosts Qatar face stiff challenge - Sportsnet.caSince being named host of the 2022 World Cup a decade ago, the Qatari national team has made great strides in international soccer. But make no mistake about it: Qatar faces a big challenge, as it has been pooled in Group A with three nations in the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador who all have World Cup experience
Read more »
Canada taking talented roster to 2022 FIFA World Cup in QatarCanada submitted its list of 26 players who will be representing the country at the World Cup. They will be taking a talented team to Qatar.
Read more »
Former host Russia frozen out as World Cup begins in QatarRussia was kicked out of World Cup qualifying after it invaded Ukraine and now can only play friendlies against the few nations prepared to accept its invitations.
Read more »
Canada taking talented roster to 2022 FIFA World Cup in QatarCanada submitted its list of 26 players who will be representing the country at the World Cup. They will be taking a talented team to Qatar.
Read more »