Norway decided on Sunday not to boycott next year’s World Cup in Qatar. At a specially organized online conference, most Norwegian football delegates supported the association’s recommendation to go to Qatar despite all objections, with 368 votes in favour and 121 against.
A motion was calling not to attend the World Cup if it is held in Qatar. Although, to participate in qualifying if the tournament were to be held in another country was supported by 155 delegates. However, 317 people voted against it. Norway is one of the opponents of the Dutch national team in the qualifying series for the World Cup. Several clubs from the country had called on in March to avoid the World Cup because of the human rights situation in Qatar.
This happened after revelations that more than six thousand migrant workers have died in the Arab country, including during the construction of the World Cup stadiums. Norway’s players also made themselves heard in March. They came onto the World Cup qualifiers in shirts that read ‘Human rights, on and off the pitch.
The Norwegian Football Association had already indicated that it is not in favour of a boycott. They see more in dialogue with Qatar to try to improve the situation there. A special committee that was considering a possible boycott already advised not to opt for this last month.