Philipp Lahm has a central role at the EM 2024. Therefore, he was expected to watch the 2022 World Cup as well. But he avoids the trip to Qatar.
Philipp Lahm is staying away from the controversial World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year. “I’m not part of the delegation and I’m not keen on flying there as a fan,” said the 2014 world champion in an interview with “Kicker”. “I’d rather follow the tournament from home.”
Lahm, who is responsible as tournament director for the home European Championship 2024, is highly critical of the organization of the major event in the emirate. That’s why the former captain of FC Bayern Munich and the national team demanded: “Human rights should play the biggest role in the awarding of a tournament. If a country is awarded the contract that is one of the worst performers in this regard, you start to think about what criteria since it was decided.”
In addition to the human rights situation, the issues of sustainability and the size of the country “apparently played no role” in the award, said the 38-year-old.
For Lahm, it is imperative that the German internationals should make critical comments about the event during the World Cup (November 21 to December 18). “As a player,” he said, “you can’t get around it anymore.”