Major French cities refuse to host World Cup celebrations linked to Qatar
Several major French towns, including Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg, and Lille, announced they would not set up giant screens or fan zones during the World Cup running from November 20 to December 18. Local administrations with left-leaning coalitions argued the decision reflects an objection to a tournament marked by work accidents and the environmental and energy waste from climate-controlled stadiums. The announcement carries weight in a country that has just earned the title of world champions and where blues matches generate widespread enthusiasm.
“We did not consider creating broadcast spaces for a number of reasons. First, the conditions surrounding this World Cup, as well as its environmental and social impact, were decisive factors,” stated Pierre Rabadan, the Paris city councilor for sports, who also oversees events tied to the 2024 Olympic Games. He noted that the tournament’s November-to-December scheduling, with cold weather that makes outdoor viewing less appealing, shaped the decision as well.
“It feels right to say that if Bordeaux had hosted such spaces for fans, the event could have become an overarching partner in human and environmental concerns,” explained Pierre Hurmic, the mayor of Bordeaux, who is aligned with ecological values. He added that the World Cup has transformed into what he called a human and environmental disaster incompatible with the city’s principles. The trend echoes the stance of Marseille, a club town that has long celebrated football values. Since the 2020 municipal elections, many large French cities have formed red-green coalitions led by socialist or ecological mayors, and they are acting in concert on this issue.
Government and federation opposed to a boycott
By contrast, the national government and the French Football Federation (FFF) oppose boycotting the tournament. “I do not think boycotting the World Cup would substantially alter carbon emissions,” commented Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the minister for the ecological transition, who had previously criticized private air travel by sports clubs. Nearby towns agreed there is no hypocrisy in choosing a different path to progress, as the FFF vice-president Philippe Diallo noted on the matter.
Despite those defenses, voices within French football and human-rights circles have raised concerns about the conditions under which the World Cup was built. Amnesty International and other groups highlight worker rights abuses in the construction and infrastructure projects for the tournament. Independent investigations have disputed official counts, with international organizations such as the International Labour Organization indicating higher numbers of worker fatalities and injuries compared with official tallies. A report by The Guardian has cited thousands of migrant worker deaths since the event was awarded to Qatar—figures that critics say are not fully captured in initial reports.
Social, ecological, and moral discussions
Critics describe a model that blends aggressive capitalism with traditionalist values, under which workers who built the stadiums faced low wages, long hours, and restricted freedoms. Reports indicate workers had their passports taken as part of contract terms, adding to concerns about labor rights. The environmental aspect is also central, with the tournament’s use of air-conditioned venues and the travel footprint of fans arriving by air contributing to a sizable ecological impact. The estimate of flights to Doha for the World Cup highlights the scale of travel involved.
These debates, along with recent controversies about leadership in Qatar and calls for accountability, have encouraged some players and public figures in France to advocate for reconsideration or compensation measures. Notable voices in French football and culture have suggested different ways to engage with the event, including choosing alternative viewing experiences or shifting attention to other forms of football storytelling. Local media and cultural figures have begun to weigh in, signaling a broader movement that extends beyond sports to questions of ethics, environment, and social responsibility.