Qatar critic Denmark meets Arab nation Tunisia at World Cup

When Denmark faces Tunisia in the upcoming World Cup match on Tuesday, it will bring together one of the tournament’s most vocal critics of Qatar as the host country and one of the four Arab nations participating. The game, set at Education City Stadium, holds additional significance as it marks Christian Eriksen’s return to a major tournament following his cardiac arrest at the last European Championship.

Denmark, buoyed by their Euro 2020 semifinal appearance and a nearly flawless qualifying campaign, aspires to achieve significant milestones. On the other hand, Tunisia seeks to progress beyond the group stage in its sixth World Cup appearance.

Since arriving in Qatar, Denmark has been training in all-black kits as a symbolic gesture to mourn the migrant workers who lost their lives while constructing infrastructure for the tournament. The team initially planned to wear the “One Love” anti-discrimination armband alongside other European teams, but the campaign was dropped after FIFA threatened yellow cards, a decision lamented by Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Tunisia coach Jalal Kadri addressed the armband issue, emphasizing the importance of respecting the culture and traditions of an Arab country like Qatar. He asserted that Qatar’s policy is to honor everyone’s culture and religious beliefs.

The Danish Football Union’s sporting director, Peter Møller, criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino for downplaying concerns about Qatar’s human rights record. Møller expressed surprise at Infantino’s approach and highlighted the need for addressing such issues when selecting future World Cup hosts.

In a separate incident, Qatari organizers apologized to a Danish television station for interrupting a live broadcast in Doha, and a Danish newspaper announced its decision not to cover the World Cup in protest of Qatar’s policies.

Despite these controversies, Christian Eriksen’s return remains a poignant and inspiring narrative of the tournament. Less than 18 months after his cardiac arrest, Eriksen has made a remarkable comeback, showcasing his skills with clubs like Brentford and Manchester United. His return to the national team in March and subsequent impactful performances have added to the team’s cohesion and raised expectations.

As the match unfolds, Tunisia, with only two World Cup wins in its history, faces a challenging task in Group D, which includes defending champion France and Australia. Coach Jalel Kadri has indicated that he will step down if Tunisia fails to reach the knockout rounds, emphasizing the support they anticipate from Arab communities, including Egyptians and Algerians.

The clash between Denmark and Tunisia promises to be a compelling intersection of football, culture, and individual stories within the larger context of the World Cup.