The Intersection of Sports and Migration Issues: A Canadian Perspective
By Sarah Adjekum, a social worker, educator, and PhD candidate based in Hamilton
This World Cup has thrust migrant issues into the limelight. With national squads rich in athlete diversity and the glaring human rights concerns surrounding Qatar, the complexities surrounding the tournament are unavoidable. This has elicited mixed emotions from Canadians, particularly as our country celebrates its long-awaited return to the World Cup after 36 years.
As cheers of excitement echo through Canadian streets, they are inevitably tempered by concerns about ethical implications. This venture in Qatar raises questions akin to the discussions surrounding the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics a few months prior. For a nation steeped in a settler-colonial history with a multifaceted relationship with migrants, the unfolding saga in Qatar is a poignant reminder as we anticipate co-hosting the World Cup in 2026.
Qatar’s Controversies: A Troubling Prelude
The controversies engulfing Qatar are not new to the world of sports. From the onset of its bid, the country faced numerous allegations regarding corruption, alongside undertones of Islamophobia and orientalism. However, the most startling reports involve the loss of life among migrant workers: an estimated 6,750 migrant deaths while constructing the elaborate infrastructure for the tournament. Initially, Qatar maintained that the numbers were significantly lower, claiming fewer than 40 deaths until a recent admission by Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, that the actual toll fell between 400 and 500.
Distracting from calls for a diplomatic boycott of the World Cup, Canadian International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan’s visit to Qatar has raised eyebrows, forcing many Canadians to grapple with the dichotomy of sporting enjoyment versus ethical considerations.
A Critical Look at Canada’s Treatment of Migrants
While the loss of migrant lives in Qatar is a grave concern, Canadians must also confront our own treatment of migrants, which puts our country’s human rights narrative into question. Recent years have seen the normalization of the mass detention of migrants through arbitrary detention in provincial prisons. Disturbingly, from 2019 to 2020, approximately 9,000 migrants were held in legal limbo as they awaited administrative hearings. In one instance, a man endured seven years of incarceration, a glaring contradiction to Canada’s self-portrayal as a haven for migrants and a promoter of human rights.
The Canadian Soccer Team: A Symbol of Diversity
As fans rally behind Canada’s national soccer team, it’s essential to acknowledge that its roster embodies our country’s pro-diversity ethos. Players such as veteran goalie Milan Borjan and Alphonso Davies, who arrived in Hamilton and Edmonton as refugees, represent the potential for inclusion and success that immigrants bring. Highlighting narratives like those of Ismael Koné and Jonathan Osorio, both of whom emerged from immigrant backgrounds, adds layers to the celebration of diversity within Canadian sports.
However, while these athletes have achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for the World Cup, concerns linger about Canada’s broader treatment of migrants. Instead of celebrating the diversity that has contributed to this sporting success, the country has seen a regression in migrant rights, demanding scrutiny and accountability.
A Wider International Lens
Canada is certainly not alone in showcasing a diverse team. The 2018 World Cup victors, France, faced backlash over Trevor Noah’s observation regarding their team’s predominantly African origins—drawing attention to the colonial legacies that contribute to migration. Nations like Canada, France, and the United States boast diverse teams while simultaneously imposing barriers on migrants seeking refuge within their borders, thus complicating the narrative of diversity as a strength.
This juxtaposition became especially evident during the World Cup, where teams protested against colonialism and human rights abuses, giving voice to the often-unaddressed histories that underpin contemporary migration issues. The outrage over the human costs associated with sporting events forces us to think beyond the matches themselves and confront the geopolitical histories that shape them.
Sports as a Stage for Reflection
As the tournament nears its conclusion, the lack of acknowledgment concerning the human impact of these events is disheartening. While sports can provide a platform for dialogue on historical complexities, they cannot serve as a remedy to the fundamental issues at play. The joy of athletic competition masks deeper, often painful realities of migration and the historical injustices that continue to reverberate.
Through this lens, soccer is more than a game—it is an opportunity for reflection, discussion, and action surrounding migration and human rights. As fans cheer for their teams, they must also confront the social and political narratives that often go unspoken. The tournament serves not just as a showcase of talent, but as a critical juncture to demand accountability and change in a world where sports, migration, and human rights intersect in ways that are increasingly impossible to ignore.
