Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
Why I won’t be attending the World Cup in Qatar
Football fanatic LAYTH YOUSIF can’t bring himself to look past the abuses of the rights of migrant workers, women, and the LGBTQ+ community in the host country
‘TAINTED’: Branding for the tournament on display in Doha

In 40 years watching football I’ve travelled to numerous World Cups and international tournaments, including a memorable month spent in Japan watching every England game during the 2002 edition. 

As a child I marvelled over what is still my favourite international team, the ultimately unsuccessful but utterly joyous 1982 Brazil World Cup side. Which, as an aside, proved that you simply don’t have to win silverware to prove your greatness. And my word they were great. I can still recall that glorious litany of footballing gods, from Zico to Eder, Junior and Falcao to Socrates.

To a young, wide-eyed kid racing home from school to watch these immortals grace our national game was a delight that still lives with me to this day. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
File photo dated 06-05-2025 of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who has backed the club�s handling of former midfielder Thomas Partey�s departure, following the arrest of the 32-year-old on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Issue date: Monday 21st July, 2025.
Layth’s take / 26 September 2025
26 September 2025

Mikel Arteta has been receiving criticism in some quarters for his supposed negativity – but Arsenal reporter LAYTH YOUSIF insists the Gunners boss is on the right lines

Arsenal's Eberechi Eze scores their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent, September 24, 2025
Men’s football / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025
Fulham's Harry Wilson (right) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal of the game ball during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London, September 20, 2025
Men’s football / 21 September 2025
21 September 2025
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard scores their side's second goal o
Men’s football / 18 September 2025
18 September 2025

Substitutes Gabi Martinelli and Leo Trossard seal Champions League victory in Bilbao

Similar stories
President Donald Trump meets with members of the Juventus soccer club in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington.
Men’s football / 20 June 2025
20 June 2025

JAMES NALTON discusses how Fifa claims to be apolitical, but as Infantino and Juventus players stood behind Trump discussing war, gender, and global politics, the line between sport and statecraft vanished

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, March 31, 2022
Sportswashing / 24 January 2025
24 January 2025
Infantino cosies up to Trump as Disunited States become Fifa's latest problematic World Cup host, writes JAMES NALTON
Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison sporting a rainbow captai
LGBTQ+ / 12 December 2024
12 December 2024