It was an entirely fair question to ask whether we should be attending a World Cup in a state with discriminatory laws and policies like Qatar’s.
In some ways, I am conscious that I’m lucky in that I wasn’t having to make a decision on whether or not to come to the World Cup in Qatar as a fan. I am here in a work capacity and, to an extent, that was slightly easier to justify although I still arrived with plenty of misgivings.
I’m here working as part of Lleisiau Cymru (Welsh Voices), as an ambassador for football and for Cymru as a whole. That means that I am here to work and so far, it’s been really busy and constructive; events have ranged from British Embassy receptions to meetings with UEFA and other associations, and a fun Q&A with Jess Fishlock, Nathan Blake and Dafydd Iwan for Cymru fans and sponsors. Plenty more is planned including with potential trade, industry and educational partners.
