The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is well underway following years of controversy surrounding accusations of corruption and vote buying. Since it began, the host country has also faced intense scrutiny from human rights groups around its treatment of migrant workers and LGBTQ+ people.

In addition to this, the World Cup has also brought to the forefront the subject of Arab normalisation with the Israeli regime. Whilst the Israeli regime’s football team failed to qualify, the Israeli Foreign Ministry expects at least 20,000 Israeli’s to make the trip to Qatar during the month of the tournament.

This comes after an announcement only a few days before the commencement of the World Cup that an agreement had been reached allowing for temporary direct flights between Tel Aviv and Doha

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that, “With this deal, Israelis and Palestinians will be able to fly together and enjoy football together”. A Qatari official claimed that this would also apply to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza.

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