Via a barrage of television commercials, organizers of the World Cup are trying to convince soccer fans that playing during the winter holidays and staging the event in Qatar is perfectly normal.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

“The most controversial World Cup in history, the 2022 tournament has been making headlines ever since FIFA (football’s international governing body) named Qatar as hosts in 2010. Corruption scandals, human rights abuses, and sweltering playing conditions have become synonymous with the looming championship,” writes Fred Garratt-Stanley in Vice.

The obvious question: How did Qatar land the sport’s marquee event? Especially since it practices Sharia Law, treats foreign workers like slaves, and discriminates against women and gays.

The answer is bribery.

Criminal Charges Against FIFA Leaders

Nearly three-quarters of the FIFA executives who voted to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and this year’s tournament to Qatar have since faced criminal charges.

And, it is alleged that Qatari construction magnate Mohammed Bin Hamman made $880 million in British pounds ($1 billion U.S.) in illicit payments to national soccer federation officials.

The first World Cup in the Middle East begins Sunday.

A list of everything wrong with the 2022 World Cup is at this link.