By Steve Keating
DOHA (Reuters) – The United States will do their part to defend human rights at the Qatar World Cup saying on Wednesday they would draw inspiration from American service members who had come to watch them train.
After training on Tuesday with migrant workers who helped build the World Cup stadiums, the U.S. squad hosted local army and embassy personnel telling the crowd they were committed to the same values that they are defending.
“We have anchors that revolve around change and being a team that’s outspoken against things that have come about in the United States,” said U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner. “I think it’s clear that we support human rights everywhere and I think again it is just another one of our anchors.”
The U.S. men are showing their support for the LGBTQ community in Qatar, displaying a rainbow-themed team logo inside their training facility and media workroom.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.
The design features seven rainbow vertical stripes below “USA” in dark blue letters and is part of the “Be The Change” initiative the team adopted in 2020 with the goal of inspiring action on social justice issues.
Organisers of the World Cup say that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome, while also warning against public displays of affection.
Soccer players have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup, especially LGBTQ individuals and women, whom rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.
“We’re very happy that you guys are here,” said U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie, to a cheering audience. “We have anchors that we follow very closely – brave, diverse, relentless – and I’m 100% sure that these are qualities you guys have and show every single day.
“The sacrifice that you guys and your families made is incomparable.”
After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. are back at the tournament for what they have billed as a “revenge tour”.
That tour kicks off on Monday with their opener against Wales.
With one of the youngest squads, the U.S. have struggled in their buildup to the World Cup, losing 2-0 to Japan in their penultimate warm-up match and then days later drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia.
The Americans also face England and Iran in Group A but are not looking past a crucial opener.
“We’re going to take things one game at the time,” said Turner. “We’re not going to look past our first game against Wales and I think it’s important to take things one step at a time.”
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Doha, additional reporting by Nathan Frandino. Editing by Christian Radnedge)
