The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) have made a statement to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community by adding the rainbow flag to their logo ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The controversial tournament will finally get started and kick off on Sunday when hosts Qatar face Ecuador. The World Cup has been hugely criticised in its build-up with many pointing to Qatar's human rights record and attitude towards homosexuality.
Earlier this month, a Qatar World Cup ambassador told a German television broadcaster that homosexuality was 'damage to the mind', and it remains illegal to be gay in the country. The USMNT have chosen to make a stand at the tournament.
The US open their tournament against Wales on Monday and they will do so with a new crest. The USMNT appear to have made an immediate stand against LGBTQ+ discrimination on their arrival in Doha by changing the traditional red stripes on their crest to a rainbow. The rainbow badge will not be worn by the team during World Cup games, but has been routinely displayed by US Soccer as a way to promote a spirit of inclusivity.
The US team trained at the Al Gharrafa SC Stadium in Ar-Rayyan on Monday, and the redesigned crest was plastered around the grounds. A huge US logo was displayed on the wall alongside the slogan ‘One Nation’.
“We are a group who believes in inclusivity and we will continue to project that message going forward,” said US goalkeeper Sean Johnson. “We have chatted and continue to have discussions as we lead into the games. We have leaned on the message of ‘Be the Change’. That is something that we have been proud of and continue to work towards, be impactful with ourselves, our presence and our platform, and we will continue to be so here in Qatar.”
Ahead of the World Cup, many players and figures within football have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the event, especially LGBTQ+ individuals and women following several groups insisting Qatari laws discriminate against them. The country's human rights record has ultimately led to calls for teams and officials to boycott the tournament, which is set to run from November 20 to December 18.
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Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup but what should be a celebration ahead of the tournament has been riddled with controversy. The small nation has come under intense pressure in recent years for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws.
The US national team arrived at their Doha base last week, with some players joining at the weekend following their final club matches before the break. Christian Pulisic, the captain of the USMNT, featured for Chelsea in their defeat to Newcastle on Saturday evening before jetting out to the tournament.
Manager Gregg Berhalter will lead the US against Wales in their opening Group B match next week. They will be desperate to get off to a flying start before mammoth tests against England and Iran will decide whether they reach the knockout stages or not.
