FIFA cautions against Western double standards over Qatar as potential host of women's cup

FIFA’s Chief Football Officer has warned against double standards when criticising Middle Eastern countries as potential hosts for women’s football tournaments, amid reports that Qatar has expressed interest in hosting the new Women's Club World Cup.

Speaking to journalists during a FIFA press conference on Tuesday, Jill Ellis was asked whether the world’s football governing body was taking into consideration the extensive number of players and coaches identifying as LGBTQ+ in the women’s game before selecting a host nation.

Ellis, who was the former coach for the US women’s national football team, responded by saying she was "very careful not to throw stones in glass houses", highlighting that there are "500 bills in the US with anti-gay legislation on them".

She added that FIFA was considering human rights concerns when researching possible host nations, but emphasised the role of sports in promoting inclusion, as well as the need to "create different perceptions".

FIFA announced it would launch the first Women’s Club World Cup beginning in January 2028, which is set to feature 19 women’s club teams in a tournament every four years.

It did not say where the event would take place, nor whether it would follow bidding processes similar to those used in the men’s tournament.

The Guardian had reported earlier this month that Qatar had expressed its interest in hosting the first Women’s Club World Cup.

Qatar hosted the Middle East's first World Cup in 2022, amid an unprecedented Western media storm which focused on the host nation's government and record on LGBT+ issues, workers' rights, and restrictions on alcohol at the tournament.

The tournament was lauded as giving space to voices from the Global South, with rights issues - including the Palestinian cause - featuring prominently among the fans at the event.