The damned World Cup kicks off and Qatar is not in any mood to apologise

There has been a hardening of the host nation’s attitudes before a tournament shadowed by corruption, suffering and death

A Qatar 2022 sign in Doha. Picture:  Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Unfurl the faded summer bunting. Crank the thermostat up half a notch. Bask in the yellowy glow from that rectangular screen in the corner of the room. 

The most divisive, brutal, mindbogglingly corrupt sporting event of the modern age is now upon us. It is time, finally, to Discover Amazing, as the Qatar 2022 Fifa men’s World Cup repeatedly urges the passing traffic on the endless hoardings and fences ringing this city of light and sheer surfaces.