AFC President Shaikh Salman has urged for solidarity and support for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in the face of widespread criticism over treatment of migrant workers and policies on homosexuality and women’s rights ©Getty Images

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has urged the global football family to unite in support of this month’s FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Yesterday FIFA pleaded with teams to "focus on the football" and not allow the sport to be "dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

The call was made in a letter sent by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura to all 32 nations which are due to compete in Qatar.

The build-up to the World Cup has been dominated by concerns over Qatar’s labour laws, treatment of migrant workers and policies on homosexuality and women’s rights.

Looking ahead to the second staging of the event by an Asian country since South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 Finals, Sheikh Salman said: "The FIFA World Cup is returning to Asia after 20 long years, and that too at a challenging time when the entire world is recovering from the after-effects of a deadly pandemic.

"There are deep undercurrents of cynicism due to a combination of factors.

AFC President Shaikh Salman has urged for solidarity and support for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in the face of widespread criticism over treatment of migrant workers and policies on homosexuality and women’s rights ©Getty Images
AFC President Shaikh Salman has urged for solidarity and support for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in the face of widespread criticism over treatment of migrant workers and policies on homosexuality and women’s rights ©Getty Images

"But no other sport has the unique power to bring us all together in a positive spirit of joy, excitement and optimism, and there is no other competition better positioned than the FIFA World Cup to send out a resoundingly inclusive message of goodwill and peace in these difficult times.

"The AFC stands in solidarity with the State of Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Qatar Football Association, and FIFA, and pledges its full support and unwavering commitment towards a successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

"Now more than ever, it is crucial for all of us to wholeheartedly complement their efforts by offering our full support to the tournament in order to help football realise its true potential and build bridges of solidarity and peace through the beautiful game.

"A successful FIFA World Cup in Qatar is the need of the hour as it is the pathway to foster and promote understanding and solidarity, and it is my sincere hope that in these challenging times, we will not be distracted from appreciating the great joy football, as a unifying force for good, is capable of bringing us."

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will feature a record six Asian teams as well as the largest-ever cast of 19 Asian match officials.

Hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in the opening match, scheduled for November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium, with the final due to be held on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.