The banning of LGBTQ in World Cup 2022: analysis of Germany’s responses to FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and Qatar

This study aims to analyze Germany’s response to FIFA and Qatar’s ban on LGBTQ symbols during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The research argues that Germany’s opposition was not merely a political act but a manifestation of its liberal-democratic identity and long-standing commitment to human rights. Guided by constructivist theory, this study examines how Germany’s social identity as a state actor, shaped by historical experiences from the Nazi era to modern democracy, influenced its reaction toward Qatar’s policies. In contrast, Qatar’s stance, rooted in Sharia law and traditional cultural values, highlights a clash between Western liberal norms and Middle Eastern conservatism, reflecting broader tensions in international norms and values. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, analyzing secondary data from official statements, media reports, and policy documents to explain the political, diplomatic, and symbolic dimensions of Germany’s responses. The findings show that Germany’s non-state actions including the DFB’s legal challenge to FIFA, the withdrawal of REWE’s sponsorship, and the national team’s gesture of covering their mouths demonstrate how sports can function as a platform for norm contestation and ideological expression in international relations. The study concludes that the controversy extends beyond sport, representing a struggle between universal human rights and local moral systems.