10,000 France fans expected to travel to Qatar

According to L’Équipe, around 10,000 France fans are expected to travel to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – announced by the French interior ministery, supported by 300 defence and security staff to ensure safety in France-specific fan areas.

Despite calls to boycott the tournament, there will still be a heavy Les Bleus contingent travelling to Qatar – which is actually significantly bigger than England and Wales combined, with The Athletic reporting that Qatari authorities are expecting 4,000 England supporters, as well as up to 3,000 Wales supporters.

Back in France former players including Eric Cantona, political leaders and French local authorities have called in recent months for a boycott of the World Cup in the small Gulf emirate, which has been criticised for its record on human rights, particularly for migrant workers, as well as the environment – yet to not much avail. Many French cities have, however, decided not to show World Cup games on giant screens in an act of protest.

GFFN | George Boxall