Dua Lipa rules out performing at the Qatar World Cup
"I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup,” Due Lipa wrote.
Dua Lipa has spoken: she will absolutely not be performing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 27-year-old ‘Levitating’ hitmaker made a statement on her Instagram story on Sunday (13 November) after rumours she may be one of the acts at the World Cup’s opening ceremony.
Lipa, who is currently on the Australian leg of her Future Nostalgia tour, said the only way she would perform in Qatar is if the country improves its human rights record.
“There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the world cup in Qatar,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform.”
“I will be cheering England on from afar and I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup,” she added.
The treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar has been a mounting concern as the date grows closer for supporters planning to travel to watch the matches in person.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punishable with prison sentences and even death under Sharia law.
The advocacy group Human Rights Watch recently reported that six LGBTQ Qataris had been beaten and sexually harassed while in police custody. These reports were denied by Qatar.
Dua Lipa signed off her message “One love, Dua x,” seemingly a reference to the OneLove armband England captain Harry Kane will wear at the World Cup, even if FIFA prohibits it.
Sir Rod Stewart also reportedly turned down a huge cheque to perform in Qatar. He told The Times: “I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1million, to play there 15 months ago. I turned it down. It’s not right to go”
Currently, BTS star Jung Kook is the only official act confirmed for the opening ceremony, which will be held at Al Bayt stadium on Sunday 20 November.
Diplo, Calvin Harris, and Sean Paul are set to perform at the Fifa Fan festival, which will run over 29 days of the tournament.
Amongst the discourse on the Qatar World Cup, comedian Joe Lycett has given an ultimatum to David Beckham; if the former professional footballer doesn’t end his multimillion-pound deal with Qatar, Lycett will shred £10,000 live on his website benderslikebeckham.com.
The FIFA World Cup will be held from 20 November to 18 December 2022.