Philipp Lahm: Holding the World Cup in Qatar has damaged football and I won't be going 

Football should try to expand to new regions, but awarding a World Cup to Qatar was a mistake on a number of levels, writes Philipp Lahm

The official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha's corniche, overlooking the skyline of Doha, Qatar. One of the world’s biggest sporting events has thrown an uncomfortable spotlight on Qatar’s human rights record.

As tournament director of Euro 2024, I am meeting many people from the huge German football base. They are children in jerseys with whom I take selfies, youth coaches who teach rules to their players, presidents of small clubs who have been volunteers for decades. They all love the lightness of football, know its educational power, appreciate its importance to our community.

When the conversation turns to Qatar, however, their tone becomes serious. Many consider missing a World Cup voluntarily for the first time in their lives. In the past, a World Cup was a folk festival, for children a football initiation for life. Today, some amateur clubs think about leaving the beer tables and the screen in the storeroom.