World Cup 2022 in Qatar: FIFA confirms the death of a construction worker

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Construction site workers queue for buses in Doha (symbolic image)

Photo: Str/ dpa

A worker apparently from the Philippines lost his life during the World Cup in Qatar.

The man died as a result of an accident during repair work at the Saudi Arabian delegation's team hotel, the US sports news site The Athletic reported.

The world football association Fifa confirmed the report.

The world association was "deeply saddened by this tragedy," the "thoughts and condolences go to the worker's family," said a spokesman.

Further statements about the accident can only be made when more information is known.

According to The Athletic, the Qatari government was investigating the case.

The sports news site had reported that the deceased was a man named Alex, who is believed to be in his early 40s.

He is said to have been involved in an accident with a forklift.

When he fell off a ramp, he hit his head on concrete, it said.

The man was not wearing a seat belt – it is not known why.

Qatar is dependent on guest workers

Qatar has adopted an unprecedented construction program since awarding the 2022 World Cup.

In addition to six new stadiums, a subway network, numerous hotels and other infrastructure projects were built from scratch.

Like other states in the Gulf region, the emirate relies on guest workers in order to be able to live up to its ambitions.

The majority come from the poorer countries of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, but also from neighboring Arab countries.

Since the World Cup was awarded, Qatar has repeatedly been criticized for the way it treats its migrant workers.

There was talk of exploitation, forced labour, even a modern form of slavery.

According to human rights organizations, the reforms that have been implemented so far do not go far enough.

The number of guest workers who died in connection with the World Cup also repeatedly caused discussions.

Officially, only three construction workers are said to have died on the World Cup construction sites before the World Cup.

The Guardian, in turn, reported last year that more than 6,500 guest workers have died since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in 2010.

Which deaths are considered World Cup-related and which are work-related is controversial and the figures circulating are difficult to classify.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there has not yet been a uniform record of deaths by the Qatari authorities, which differentiates according to cause of death, age, nation and occupational group.

ara/dpa