Death Toll Reflects the Human Cost Behind Qatar’s Preparation for 2022 World Cup
More than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have lost their lives in Qatar since the country was awarded the 2022 World Cup, an investigation by the Guardian has revealed. This staggering figure, compiled from government sources, equates to an average of 12 deaths per week over the past decade, following Qatar’s successful bid in December 2010.
The data from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka shows that 5,927 migrant workers died between 2011 and 2020. Additionally, separate data from Pakistan’s embassy in Qatar reported another 824 deaths of Pakistani workers in the same period. However, the actual death toll is likely much higher, as it does not include figures from other major source countries like the Philippines and Kenya, nor does it account for deaths in late 2020.
Qatar’s rapid expansion to prepare for the World Cup—including the construction of stadiums, infrastructure, and new city developments—has raised significant concerns about the working conditions that have led to these tragic fatalities.
