Qatar World Cup Music: The artists who refused to perform

The World Cup begins this weekend (November 20) in Qatar amid significant controversy surrounding the host country.

Both Qatar and Fifa have been condemned by Human Rights Watch over allegations that migrant workers were still paying exorbitant and illegal recruitment fees the year before the event.

“The true legacy of this tournament will be how Fifa, Qatar and everyone benefiting from this World Cup left families of thousands of migrant workers in debt after they died and left uncompensated many migrant workers who had their wages stolen.” , a spokesman warned in October .

Activists and members of the LGBT+ community have also condemned hosting the event in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

Despite the controversy, a number of artists have agreed to perform as part of the World Cup in Qatar, including BTS star Jungkook. Other artists rumored to be performing include Robbie Williams and the Black Eyed Peas.

Meanwhile, some artists have made it a point not to play the event. Here are the musicians who spoke out against it.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart revealed last week that he had previously turned down more than $1 million (about £845,000) to play in Qatar.

speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, The rock singer said he turned down his invitation to play in the country in 2021.

“I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1 million, to play there 15 months ago,” Stewart said. “I turned it down. It’s not right to walk And the Iranians should also supply weapons.”

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While Stewart was apparently not invited back, this time to perform at the Worlds, his comments were widely hailed as a strong stance leading up to the event.

Shakira

A source close to Shakira said the singer has never been in talks to play at the upcoming World Cup.

The singer faced criticism after rumors surfaced that she could perform at the event. Shakira previously performed at the tournament when it was held in South Africa in 2010.

However, the source said Metro.co.uk that she never planned to act the event and that the speculation may have stemmed from her being suggested as a possible performer by the organizers.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is another artist who has denied all speculation that she will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony.

The singer explained that she will not go to the country until it has “fulfilled all the human rights pledges” it made when it won the right to host the tournament in December 2010.

“There is currently a lot of speculation that I will perform at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar,” the 27-year-old singer wrote on Instagram.

“I will not perform and have never been involved in negotiations to perform. I will be cheering for England from afar and look forward to visiting Qatar when they have fulfilled all the human rights pledges they made when they won the right to host.”

From November 20th to December 18th the World Cup will take place in Qatar. Read more about the controversy surrounding the country as the tournament host here.