Qatar 2022: the debate on the World Cup boycott continues three weeks before the opening match

"There are universal values that should define football. Values such as respect, dignity, trust and courage. When we represent our nation, we aspire to embody these values," said Mat Ryan, captain of the Australian national football team, in a collective video message criticising the human rights situation in Qatar on 26/10/2022, less than a month before the opening match of the 2022 World Cup (Qatar - Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor on Sunday 20/11/2022, kick-off at 17:00 CET).

The Socceroos, who will start against France at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah (QAT) on Tuesday 22/11/2022 (Group D, kick-off at 20:00 CET), are thus the first of the 32 qualified countries to speak out publicly and collectively on one of the two issues that have been most often raised about this 22^nd World Cup, the other being the ecological footprint of the competition.

So is it best to boycott this global tournament, which FIFA awarded to Qatar on 02/12/2010? "It is better to use this World Cup to improve the situation. There is a certain hypocrisy in calling for a boycott of a sporting…