As Qatar’s World Cup nears, USMNT uses its platform to push for change

DOHA, Qatar — From a soccer standpoint, the mission of the U.S. men’s national team when it gathered for its first formal training here Monday was narrow: complete preparations for the World Cup, polish tactics ahead of next week’s opener against Wales and aim to advance out of the group stage.

For four years, Coach Gregg Berhalter and his 26-man squad have been working toward this moment — to make amends for the failure to even qualify for the tournament last time and to fulfill promises that have escaped the U.S. men’s program over much of its history.

The players and coaches, however, have not lost sight of goals extending well beyond the pitch. They are not oblivious to concerns about human rights in the host country, and with the global spotlight turning to the month-long tournament beginning Sunday, they want to use soccer’s immense platform to help spur change.

In a media room tucked inside Al-Gharrafa Stadium the Americans’ training base for the duration of their stay in Qatar - a wall is decorated in rainbow colors and the U.S. Soccer Federation’s crest displays that same pattern. It’s a show of support for LGBT rights in a country where homosexuality is illegal and where former Qatari player Khalid Salman, a World Cup ambassador, recently told a German broadcaster that homosexuality was “damage in the mind.”

The USSF said it will exhibit the colors in other venues it controls, such as the team hotel, media areas and fan parties the night before matches. The players will not wear the rainbow crest on match uniforms.

“We’ve been talking to the team for the last 18 months about Qatar, about social issues in Qatar, and we think it’s important when we are on the world stage - and when we are on a world stage like Qatar - to bring awareness to these issues,” Berhalter said. “We recognize that Qatar has made a ton of progress but there is still some work to do.”

There are limits, both imposed and self-imposed, on what actions World Cup teams can take on social issues without jeopardizing their standing in the tournament. FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, does not allow team equipment to show political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. For its part, the U.S. team is mindful of respecting its hosts while continuing to raise awareness.

The selection of Qatar to host the World Cup also has brought attention to the treatment of migrant workers, who make up a large share of the country’s 3 million residents. In addition to traditional red-andwhite uniforms, Denmark will have the option of wearing black jerseys to protest Qatar’s human rights record.

FIFA will not stand in the way of the jerseys but rejected the Danes’ request to train in shirts that read “Human rights for all.”

Early this month, FIFA wrote a letter to all 32 teams, asking them, “please, let’s now focus on the football!”

Additionally, several European team captains plan to wear a “OneLove” armband, promoting diversity and inclusion.

Through an initiative called “Be the Change,” U.S. players have been active on social rights issues since George Floyd’s murder in 2020.

“It’s a sign of our values and what we represent as the national team,” goalkeeper Sean Johnson said, “and we’re a group who believes in inclusivity and we will continue to project that message going forward.”