Prince William 'not planning to travel to Qatar' for World Cup due to human rights row

Prince William "won't travel to Qatar" for the World Cup next month due to rows over the country's human rights record.

Wiiliam, who is President of the Football Association, had been expected to attend games in the Middle East in November as Gareth Southgate's England side compete in the World Cup.

The hosts have been hit with protests over its poor working conditions for stadium workers during the build-up to the competition, as well as same-sex relationships being illegal there.

Sources close to William, 40, have blamed a busy diary during the World Cup for him not attending, the Sun reports.

The Three Lions' first match is on November 21 against Iran.

Friends of the future King have also reportedly said that a trip to the final - should England get there on December 18 - would be unlikely and would only form part of a government delegation if it was to happen.

Prince Wiiliam, who is President of the Football Association, had been expected to attend games in the Middle East next month (Getty Images)

LGBT rights activists have praised his decision to stay away from the competition, which falls in the middle of the football season.

Due to its strict Islamic rules, same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.

Back in 2016, William became the first royal to appear on the cover of gay magazine Attitude.

As part of the shoot, he praised the bravery of gay, lesbian and transgender youngsters who have suffered bullying.

The Three Lions' first match is on November 21 against Iran (Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Gary Lineker slammed the UK's Foreign Secretary for telling LGBT football fans to be “respectful” of World Cup hosts Qatar.

The Match of the Day host, 61, hit out after Tory James Cleverly urged supporters to show “a little bit of flex and compromise” in the Muslim country.

Lineker said: “Whatever you do, don’t do anything gay. Is that the message?”

It comes as Qatari officials stopped campaigner Peter Tatchell from holding an LGBT rights protest in the capital Doha.

The hosts have been hit with protests over its poor working conditions for stadium workers during the build-up to the competition, as well as same-sex relationships being illegal there (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Cleverly said he has spoken to local officials about gay fans going to the World Cup, which gets underway on November 20.

He added: “They want to make sure that football fans are safe, secure and enjoy themselves.

“And they know that that means they are going to have to make some compromises in terms of what is an Islamic country with a very different set of cultural norms to our own.”

Comedian Frankie Boyle has also revealed he did not want to film a documentary on the Qatar World Cup on moral and safety grounds.

He said it would be a “risk” to make a critical film there.

Kensington Palace has been contacted for comment.